Leston Earl "Luke" Draper, 84, of Roanoke Rapids died Thursday, August 6, 2009 at Halifax Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Draper was a native of Northampton County, the son of the late Richard Draper and Anna Deberry Draper. He was retired from Champion Paper Co. Leston was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids.

Mr. Draper is survived by his wife of 64 years, Delcy Davis Draper; two daughters, Gail Lane and her husband, Al, and Ann Martin and her husband, Jim, all of Roanoke Rapids; two sons, Rev. Earl Draper and his wife, Mary, of Safety Harbor, FL, and Fred Draper and his wife, Darlene, of Roanoke Rapids; eleven grandchildren, Jeremy Draper and his wife, Jill, Sandra Draper, Robbie Lane and his wife, Tammy, Ricky Draper and his wife, Jessica, Dionna Manning and her husband, Tom, Ted Draper and his wife, Kathleen, Michelle Newell and her husband, David, Ryan Lane and his wife, Jan, Drew Martin, Philip Martin and his wife, Angela, and Erin D’Arco and her husband, Joe; seventeen great-grandchildren, one brother, Thomas Draper and his wife, Myrtle, of Roanoke Rapids, one brother-in-law, Carlton Davis and his wife, Helen, of Rocky Mount, and several nieces and nephews.

Askew Funeral & Cremation Services is handling the arrangements, where the family will receive friends Friday, August 7, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids with Dr. Julian Mills and Rev. Earl Draper officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarwood Cemetery in Roanoke Rapids.