Addie "Tockie" Draper

Addie Conway Draper, affectionately known as “Tockie”, was the beloved family matriarch. She was born on August 24, 1935 to Owens and Hattie Conway (nee Simpson) in Canton, Mississippi. She was the sixth of eight beautiful children.

She accepted Christ at a young age at Andrew’s Chapel C.M.E. Church in Pickens, Mississippi, under the leadership of Rev. Woods. She attended and graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic School in Canton, Mississippi, where she was an active student—playing basketball and participating in numerous school theatrical productions.

Tockie was among the last of the Conway children to leave Mississippi and migrate to Illinois. She followed her older sister Gladys to Joliet, where she built a loving home and lasting roots. After settling in Joliet, she met the love of her life, the dark and handsome James Draper of Edwards, Mississippi.

Tockie and James were the proud parents of six wonderful children; Marilyn, Calvin, Ronald, Jeffrey, James,  and Renola, all of whom were born and raised in Joliet.

Tockie joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church in 1958, and James followed her shortly thereafter, where they raised their family, under the leadership of Rev. J.W. Hill. From that moment, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to the service of the Lord. For over 50 years Tockie was a faithful member of the Nurses Board, where she served as the Nurses’ Chaplain for nearly two decades. She was widely known for her compassionate, soul-stirring prayers that reached heaven and captured the attention of every angel around the throne. Tockie proudly served under the leadership of Mrs. Eddie B. Edwards in the church’s Kitchen Ministry. She could always be found in the kitchen humming and singing while preparing meals for every Annual Day, Pastor’s Anniversary, Homegoing celebrations, and any other church event that called for a good home-cooked meal.

Her passion was reflected in her love for cooking, especially for her family and friends. Every Sunday and holiday, her home was filled with the mouthwatering smells of her signature dishes: Collard Greens, Dressing, Sweet Potatoes, Ham, Fried Corn, Piping Hot Fried Chicken, Macaroni and Cheese, Green Beanswith ham hocks, Lima Beans, Potato Salad, Cornbread, Pound Cake, Coconut Cake, German Chocolate Cake, Red Velvet Cake and Banana Pudding, and all lovingly prepared by her hands.

Tockie’s love for her many grandchildren was beyond measure, they were the true lights of her life, often taking center stage even over her children. She doted on their growth, celebrated their accomplishments, and proudly shared their successes every chance she got.

Her favorite pastime was spent relaxing in her chair, faithfully cheering on the Chicago Bulls as they made their historic run to all six championships. She was one of their biggest fans—able to recite players’ names, stats, and game highlights with ease.

Beyond her love of basketball, Tockie also had a green thumbthat brought beauty to her neighborhood. Her yard was always filled with vibrant, seasonal flowers that brightened up Joliet Street.

While her life was filled with love, compassion, and moments of sorrow, on Friday, October 3rd, Tockie peacefully went home to be with the Lord. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, James Draper; her loving parents, Owens and Hattie Conway; her beloved daughter, Marilyn (Joyce) Hays; two cherished grandchildren, Marissa Draper and Cory McCullum; her five sisters, Pearlean Spights, Gladys (MC) Hutchins, Alberta (Jesse) Carson, Bernice Singleton, and Ida Lee (James) McMurtry; and her only brother, Percy (Armelia) Conway.

Left to celebrate her life and cherish her legacy is her loving and devoted daughter, Renola Draper of Joliet IL; four sons: Calvin (Carmen) Draper of Phoenix, Arizona; Ronald (Denita) Draper;James (Shirley) Draper of Joliet, Illinois; and Jeffrey Draper of Decatur, Georgia and her son-in-law, Dwight Hays of Elwood, IL. She is also survived by fifteen grandchildren, thirty great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, along with many other relatives and friends who loved her dearly.
 

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