Mary Lateace Myers Draper

Mary LaTeace Myers Draper left this world for a better place on April 23, 2019. She died of an aggressive form of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Her family is grateful for her thoughtfulness and foresight that prompted her to write her own obituary which appears below. We also found that she had written one for her husband Larry but you will have to wait until a later edition to read that one.
“I was born in Wellsville, Utah November 26, 1938. My parents were William Jones Myers and Sylvia Alice Jensen Myers. I was the third child in the family and the only girl. My two brothers were Lt. Cmdr. William LeRoy Myers (deceased, wife Mona, also deceased) and Thornton Orlynn Myers (deceased, wife Norma) of Mendon, Utah. I married Larry E. Draper in the Wellsville Tabernacle on July 27, 1962 after writing him for over two years while he was in the army, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. We have three sons, Patrick Larry Draper (Melissa), Lee David Draper (Amber), and Steven Kirk Draper (Candice). There are eleven grandchildren: Sam, James (Emily), Sarah & Brittni Draper; Sylvia (Keaton) Nielsen, Clara, Rhett & Maggie Draper; Grace, Anna & Nick Draper; and four great grandchildren: Scotlyn, Brand, Iris, and Henry.
“I had a happy childhood – trying to keep up with and annoy two older brothers. I was blessed with good friends during my life from childhood to high school graduation and some even continue now. I went to school at Floradell Elementary, Wellsville Junior High, South Cache High School and one year at Utah State University. As a child I picked beans every summer (as soon as I could reach the tops of the poles) to earn money for school. I sold tickets at the Wellsville Community Theatre for a year. After the year at USU I went to work at Thiokol Chemical Corporation as a clerk typist and soon became a clerk stenographer. I worked there for nearly five years. I also worked at the Cache County Health Department, leaving to have my second son. I did not return to work until November 1975 when my three sons were all in school. I worked for Smithfield Implement for nine years and eventually went to work for University Relations in the USU Development Office. I worked there until I retired December 31, 2001. During the years I have enjoyed keeping contact with special friends (you all know who you are) with monthly lunches, church and other social get-togethers.
“I was preceded in death by my parents, my older brother LeRoy, his wife Mona; my brother Lynn; 5 nephews, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, and dear and special friends. Surviving are my husband, our three sons and their families; my brother Lyn’s wife, Norma, and their family; my older brother, LeRoy’s family; and nephews, nieces, cousins, and special friends.”
The family wishes to thank Dr. Michael Stones for his care and concern for Mary through the years, as well as Rocky Mountain Hospice and specifically Debbie and Nancy for their help with Mary these last few months. And finally, we would like to thank our Dad, Larry, for his loving care of our mother. She wanted to be able to be home and he made that possible for her.
Mary’s request was not to have a traditional funeral, but there will be a viewing for friends and family to pay their last respects and visit with her family on Wednesday evening May 1, 2019 at 6 pm until 8 pm at the Allen Mortuary of North Logan, 420 East 1800 North in North Logan, Utah. A graveside service at the Smithfield Cemetery will be held on Thursday, May 2 at 12:30 pm.