Mary Frances Stephenson Draper passed away peacefully on November 24, 2023, after a long and fulfilling life.
She was born on November 30, 1925, to Edward Henry Stephenson and Mary Magdalene Vassar Stephenson in Seaboard, NC.
Her parents instilled in her a love of Christ, family, community and learning.
Mary Frances graduated from East Carolina Teacher’s College in 1946 and taught fifth grade before returning home to help her parents after the loss of her brother, Captain Edward Vassar Stephenson, USMC, in World War II.
She married Thomas Jackson Draper of Boykins, VA in 1950 and enjoyed 55 years of devoted marriage. In her latter years she moved to Durham to live with her younger daughter and family.
Mary Frances was quick-witted, joyful and loving, and fully immersed in her life. She was a treasure to her entire family and her loving spirit and deep faith helped shape her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was active in her community, teaching adult Sunday School for 50 years, leading Girl Scouts, teaching Vacation Bible School, and participating in Eastern Star. She was always available to help a friend or neighbor and always with a smile on her face. She loved reading and was a wicked card and Scrabble player. She attributed her long life to her love of chocolate.
Mary Frances is survived by grandsons, Edward Gray Slaughter (Lisa and sons, Hunter and Gage) and Shawn Thomas Slaughter (Lori and children, Molly and Caleb), born to daughter Elaine Slaughter Fisher. She is also survived by her younger daughter, Jackie MacHardy (Earle) and their sons, Nathaniel MacHardy (Lilly) and Zachary MacHardy (Amanda and son, Tristan).
The family would like to recognize dear friends, Geri Cox and Angelia Carroll. They helped fill Mary Frances’ life in Durham with outings, fellowship, doughnuts and fried oysters. A special thank you to Mary Hahaldi and Maria Corvera, both of Aegis Home Care, who treated Mom (and all of us) like family.
Services will be held at Seaboard Methodist Church on Wednesday, November 29th at 11:00 AM. A visitation will be held with the family at the church at 10:00 AM.
Gifts in memory may be made to Seaboard Methodist Church, Elizabeth Street United Methodist Church in Durham, NC or to the Northampton County Library.