AHOSKIE, NC – Helen Jordan Draper, age 78, passed away on July 7, 2019 at her daughter’s home in Colerain, NC, with her daughter by her side.

Mrs. Draper was born in Halifax County on January 13, 1941, a daughter of the late Samuel T. Jordan and Medie Woodruff Jordan Merritt. Besides working as a receptionist for Morris & Taylor Orthodontics, Helen was a lover of crafting, which included quilting, sewing, and basket weaving. She had the ability to look at most anything and make it.

Mrs. Draper had a true servant’s heart and was a faithful servant to her Lord, doing missions work in both her local community with projects such as Samaritans Purse and Christmas Box, and abroad, having traveled to Peru and Romania. She was also active in her home church, Union Baptist Church. Helen never knew a stranger, only friends waiting to be met. She lived her life in accordance to the meaning of her name “a true shining light.” She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Beside her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her loving husband, Richard Erwin Draper, Sr.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Terry White Koch and husband, James of Colerain, NC; two sons, Richard E. Draper, Jr. of Ahoskie, NC, and Robert E. Draper and wife, Carolyn of Lewiston, NC; five grandsons, Terry Douglas (Sarah) White Jr. of Angier, NC, Richard E. Draper, III (fiancé, Kelliann) of Wilson, NC, Steven (Renee) Draper of Ahoskie, NC, and Ryan Draper and Benjamin Draper of Aulander, NC; four granddaughters, Laura White of Raleigh, NC, Lindsey (Adam) Greene of Scotland Neck, NC, Dianne (Jesse) Snyder of Lewiston, NC, and Jessica Lynn Carroll of Kenly, NC; seven great grandchildren; a brother, Samuel Thomas Jordan, Jr. of Roanoke Rapids, NC; and two step brothers, Daniel Steven (Frances) Merritt of Roanoke Rapids, NC, and Lawrence (Linda) Merritt of Florida. Also surviving is her aunt, Jean Woodruff Hargrove of Newport News, VA; two uncles, Lenn (Jean) Woodruff of Gaston, NC, and Glenn (Priscilla) Woodruff of Roanoke Rapids, NC; and her cat companion, Darcy.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, from 10:00 am until 10:45 am at Letchworth-Sykes Funeral Service, Scotland Neck, NC, prior to services.

A graveside celebration of life service will be held on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at 11:00 am at the Sunnyside Cemetery, Scotland Neck, NC, with Rev. Randy Miller, officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made directly to Alzheimer’s Association, Eastern North Carolina Chapter, 5171 Glenwood Ave., Suite 101, Raleigh, NC, 27612; or to PAWS of Hertford County, P.O. Box 153, Murfreesboro, NC, 27855; or you may donate online by visiting www.tmcfunding.com/search; then type Helen Draper.

Letchworth-Sykes Funeral Service is handling the arrangements for the Draper family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting letchworthsykesfs.com.