Longtime Claremore area resident Carol Jean Draper went to be with her Lord and Savior on 11-1-2024.

Born on January 16, 1937 to John L. Hester and Rubye A. (Kisner) Hester in Bigelow, Arkansas, she grew up behind the counter of her father's general store providing a smile to everyone in Perry County. After graduating from St. Mary's Catholic High School in Little Rock, she became a Flight Attendant with American Airlines. While temporarily based in Los Angeles, she was offered a cup of coffee by one of the Gate Managers. Her friends immediately warned her about having anything to do with that flirtatious cad Chuck Draper.

They married on May 2, 1960 .

She traded a promising career to raise three boys, shepherding them through baseball, basketball, boy scouts, fights, cuts, bruises and broken bones - those things that turn a mother in to a Mom.

After moving from Tulsa to the farm north of Claremore, she went back to then Claremore Junior College and completed a degree in Child Development. She then began working on campus at the child care and pre-school center known as the 'Kiddie Kollege'. She would eventually be appointed Director and would spend her entire career at this position doing what she loved most.

She retired to the farm, spending time with Grandchildren, tending cattle, traveling and growing old with that flirtatious cad with whom she spent 52 years.

She was preceded in death by Husband Charles J. (Chuck) Draper, Parents John Lee and Rubye Ailene Hester of Sheridan, Arkansas, Brother John Lee Hester II of Sheridan, Arkansas. She is survived by Son Randy Draper & Wife Cammy of Bixby, Son Ron Draper of Claremore and Son Russell Draper and Wife Lauren of Ohio as well as six grandchildren.