Joyce Marie Firkins Draper was born to Robert Haskins Firkins and Lucy Frances McKinney Firkins on August 2, 1936 in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Joyce was 5th of 8 children. Joyce finished the 11th grade but did not return to school for her senior year.
Joyce was a devout Christian all of her life. Joyce met Grady Eugene Draper in 1955 while he was in the Army and stationed in Louis Kentucky. After dating for 6 months and Grady got out the service they were married on March 20, 1955. After marrying they moved to Dallas, Texas. Together they had 3 children.
Joyce worked for Walmart for about 20 years before retiring. Joyce loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Joyce is preceded in death by her husband Grady of 28 years, her parents, and all of her siblings along with other family members.
Joyce is survived by her 3 children, 2 sons (Donald Draper and wife Linda, James Draper and wife Beth) and 1 daughter (Janet Doerr and husband Robert). Joyce has 7 grandchildren (Ruth, William, Diana, Adam, Matthew, Elizabeth and Peyton) and 6 great-grandchildren (Anna, Jessica, Christian, Kaitlyn, Liam and Oliver).
A visitation for Joyce will be held Tuesday, December 21, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Laurel Land Funeral Home, 6300 South R.L., Thornton Freeway, Dallas, TX 75232, followed by a graveside service from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.laurellanddallas.com for the Draper family.
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