Lorene B. Draper

Lorene B. Draper, 94, of Herrin, passed away at 10:37 p.m. Saturday, May 4, 2013 at Herrin Nursing and Rehab Center in Herrin.

Lorene was born Dec. 22, 1918 in Christopher, Ill. to John T. and Theo (Rodd) Payne.

While living in Chicago, during World War II, she worked at the General Electric war plant as a machinist making parts for the B-29 planes. Later she was a sales representative and model for Bonwit Teller department store. Upon returning to southern Illinois, she worked at the Norge plant in Herrin.

Lorene was first married to Joe Yates and from this union was born a son, Joe. She then married Clarence Eugene Draper on Nov. 10, 1958 in Hernando, Miss. and from this union was born a daughter, Kathy.

Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and David Boston of Herrin; son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Betty Yates of Pinckneyville; two grandchildren, Tim Yates and his wife, Janae of Steeleville, Bill Yates and his wife, Emily of Marshall; seven great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Draper on May 3, 2009, parents, three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Earl and Edith Payne, Robert and Carrie Payne, Howard Payne and three sisters and one brother-in-law, Sybil Payne, Grace and Charles Toler, Ruth Payne and a grandson, Bobby Joe Yates.

She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and a member of the First Baptist Church in Herrin, where she taught Sunday school for many years. She also volunteered for the Herrin Hospital Ladies Auxiliary.

Services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at Meredith-Waddell Funeral Home in Herrin with Rev. Mark Hutson officiating. Interment will be in Herrin City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested and may be made to the Herrin Bocce Ball Club, envelopes will be available and accepted at the Meredith-Waddell Funeral Home, P.O. Box 2071, Herrin, IL 62948.