Karen Janelle Draper

Mrs. Karen Janelle France Draper, 65, of Martinsville, Virginia, departed this life on Friday, August 23, 2024. She was born in Henry County, Virginia, (Old Hairston Home) on August 2, 1959, to the late John Russell France and Annie Rachel Martin France who preceded her in death.Karen graduated from George Washington Carver High School and Ferrum College in Ferrum, Virginia with a Bachelor of Social Work Degree. Karen served as a member of The Voices of Hope choir while attending Ferrum College and won the Social Work of Hope award there. Karen used her gift and calling as a social worker throughout her forty-year career and served in a variety of roles. She was the Director of Social Work at Martinsville Rehab Center, the Director of Social Work at Blue Ridge Center and worked in case management Social Work at SOVAH Health, Danville, Va for twenty years up until September 19, 2023. She was a member of Antioch Christian Church where she remained a faithful member since her baptism at the age of fifteen. Karen served as an Elder, Antioch Christian Church choir director, usher, and president of the usher board for many years. She also established the Junior Usher Board for the church. Additionally, she used her gifts and talents as the financial director, and for over forty years she taught Sunday School to little kids, as well as serving as the youth leader.She leaves to cherish the memory of her loving groom, Abe H. Draper of forty (40) years. They were married on June 30, 1984. She is also survived by her son, John Christopher Clay Draper (Michelle); grandson, John Stark Draper; daughter, Tiffany Draper Morris (Pastor D. JeSie Morris) and Andrea Nicole Waller (Mike); special adopted daughter, Anne R. France; brother, Kenneth R. France (Mary); sister, Jean Johnson (Jack); grandchildren, Dalisha, Kayla, Nicholas, JeSani, JaRiah, and Jezekiah (J-man) ; eight great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, great- great nieces and nephews, along with a host of cousins, family and friends.“God saw you were getting weary, so He did what He thought best, He came and stood beside you and whispered, “Come and Rest” you bade no one a last farewell, not even a goodbye, you were gone before we knew it and only God knows why.” The FamilyThe funeral will be held on Tuesday August 27, 2024, at 1:00 PM at Antioch Christian Church, Spencer Virgina with Rev. D. JeSie Morris, eulogist. Burial will follow at Antioch Christian Church cemetery. The visitation will be thirty minutes prior to the service. A floating visitation will be held on Monday, August 26, 2024, from 2:00 pm-5:00 pm at Wright Funeral Service Chapel.Wright Funeral Service & Crematory serves the family. Online condolences may be made at