John Merrill Draper

  Elder John Merrill Draper, age 84, of June Lane, Winston Salem passed away Friday morning (February 18, 2011) at Forsyth Medical Center.  Funeral service will be held 3:00 pm Sunday (February 20, 2011) at Pine Primitive Baptist Church in Lexington, with Elder David Anderson, Elder E.W. Hooven and Elder Eddie Fowler officiating.  Burial will follow in Pine Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.   The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 pm Saturday night at Davidson Funeral Home, Hickory Tree Chapel.   John was born in North Hampton County, July 16, 1926, to John Troy Draper and Carrie Joyner Draper.  He was a retired employee of Western Electric in Winston Salem. He was ordained in 1957 and was Pastor/Elder of Pine Primitive Baptist Church for a number of years. He served his country in the US Navy during World War II. John, was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Hope Edwards Draper; daughter, Merle Harmon; his sister, Christine Oneick and his brother, Ellis Draper.   Surviving are; one, daughter, Faith Haneline and husband Ricky of Lexington; two sons, Karl R. Draper and Mark Draper both of Winston Salem; four grandchildren; Bryan Draper, Amy Austin, Mack Lounsbury and Cassidy Haneline; four great-grandchildren; Braxton, Alexis and Branson Draper and Ashlyn Austin.   Arrangements are by Davidson Funeral Home, Hickory Tree Chapel.