James Blair Draper
12/31/1944 - 03/30/2023
In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by one grandchild, Quintin Watkins: one sister, Geraldine Paige, and one brother, James E. Hairston.
James was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder, a member of the Choir, and a member of the Usher Board. He retired from Fieldcrest Mills after many years of service. He was a United States Army Veteran serving during the Vietnam war, receiving the Bronze Star for meritorious service. He was a member of the American Legion Homer Dillard Post 78. James was a member of the Kuwat #126. He was a graduate of Albert Harris High School class of 1963.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Ida Hairston Draper of the home; two sons, James Blair Draper, Jr., and Jason D. Draper both of Martinsville, VA; two daughters, Robin Hairston of Collinsville, VA, and Pamela Martin Rudolph of Mays Landing, NJ; eight grandchildren; five great grandchildren; best friend, Floyd Gravely of Martinsville, VA; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
A visitation service will be held on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at the C.R.V. Memorial Chapel at Hairston Funeral Home, 301 Fayette St., Martinsville with Pastor Kelvin Perry, Eulogist. Burial will follow at Carver Memorial Gardens, 1310 Carver Rd., Martinsville. A public viewing will be held on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at Hairston Funeral Home between the hours of 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Other times, the family will be receiving friends at the home, 602 Fifth St., Martinsville, between the hours of 2 p.m. until 9 p.m.
To view live streaming of the funeral service, go to Hairston Funeral Home live on Facebook.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hairston Funeral Home.