Mary Evelyn (Miles) Evans Draper
January 22, 1929 - November 15, 2019
Mary Evelyn (Miles) Evans Draper, age 90, of New Castle, DE, passed away at her daughter’s home on Friday, November 15, 2019, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Saxis, VA on January 22, 1929, Mary was a daughter of the late Everett and Virginia (Bailey) Miles. A graduate of Longwood College in Virginia, she worked as a high school teacher in Denton, Maryland before making her home at Wilmington Manor school in New Castle, Delaware, where she taught second grade for over thirty years. Mary was a doting mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, as well as a loving friend, colleague and role model. Fondly known as “Sugy” to her grandchildren, Mary loved attending family gatherings, and played an active role in every part of her grandchildren’s lives. She enjoyed frequent trips to the Dollar Tree, Friday afternoons at the Farmer’s Market with “the girls”, bragging about her grandchildren to everyone she met, and telling anecdotes about her hometown, Saxis. Most of all, Mary’s kind nature and zest for life was an inspiration to all who knew her. Mary’s father summed it up best in a letter he wrote to her many years ago when he said, “I am without words to explain how much I love you. You are something like your darling mother. Someone said God patterned her after his best woman.”
In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her first husband and father of her children, John F. Evans; son, John F. Evans II; and her recent husband, James Draper. She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Singleton (Paul) of New Castle, DE; her granddaughters, Frances Leary (Travis) of Newark, DE, and Michelle Schoen (Jeff) of New Castle, DE; and her great grandchildren, Mackenzie, Alex, Maddie and Wyatt.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 11:30 am until 12:30 pm on Saturday, December 7, 2019, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE, where a memorial service will begin at 12:30 pm. A private interment will be held on a later date in Mary’s hometown of Saxis, VA at Miles Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to Saxis Museum to M.K. Miles at P.O. Box 21 Saxis, VA 23427, and to Miles Cemetery to M.K. Miles at P.O. Box 37 Saxis, VA 23427.
Joseph Daly
My 2nd grade teacher 62-63 , so sorry you will be missed . What a wonderful person I have never forgot you after all these years , Rest in Peace ……………
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Dill
Our condolences to the family and friends of Mom Draper. She was a wonderful woman who we loved so much.
Elaine Davis
So sorry for your loss. i had talked to her not long ago when she was leaving the doctors office. I was a substitute teacher at the same school as Mary. May she rest in peace.
Michelle M. Schoen
Dear “Sugy,”
You gave your all selflessly to your loved ones and friends. Your absence leaves a deep void in all of our hearts. Now it is time for us to be selfless and wish you eternal peace until we meet again….
Love always,
Jeff, Michelle, “Alex Eyes,” and “Maddie Cat” OX XO
Kay Butler
Dearly loved by everyone she met, she shared her gift of piano music to bring joy.
Tammy Parsons
I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family of Mrs. Evans-Draper. I have known her for over 50+ years, never once did I ever see her not smiling. She was one of the strongest most loving people I’ve ever known. She will surely be missed by many. I will keep her in my prayers as well as the rest of the family. God Bless you all. Tammy Parsons
Cheryl Williamson
My thoughts and prayers to the Family during this difficult time. I have so many wonderful memories of my 2nd grade because of this amazing woman. Anytime the question comes up of who our “favorite” teacher , Mrs Evan’s was always mentioned. May she rest in peace..
Cheryl williamson
I also would like to add. I am 59. That is how much impact she had in our lives
Lisa krauss Hay
So sorry to hear of Mrs Evan’s passing. She was my favorite teacher, my son also had her for second grade. I enjoyed seeing her in the neighborhood throughout the years. Such a kind woman, may she rest in peace
Denise Lingenfelter
Our sincere condolences to Mary’s family and friends. She will surely be missed!
New Castle H.S. DE Alumni Association ☀️
Gary Phillip
Mrs Evans was my 2nd grade teacher at Manor Park Elementary. My favorite teacher overall. She made learning fun. I would see her around the neighborhood, Dairy Palace, grocery stores. The last time, she invited me to her home to just say hi. Love this lady.
Kristen Sartin
R.I.P to such a sweet lady, we didn’t know each other that well but seeing her at farmer’s market every Friday was such a joy, seeing her holiday spirit by dressing up. We will miss her dearly, Sending prayers and positive thoughts to the family.
Sharon Rantz Sturgis
We loved Mary Evelyn. Will sure miss her visits to Pocomoke and staying with KW and Carol. Her family is in our thoughts and prayers. Will always remember the good times we shared together!
Sharon & Don Sturgis
Leilani Smith
She was a very sweet lady and I know she will be missed. She did love her hometown, Saxis.
Robin Butler- Stewart
I am so sorry for your loss. Your Mother was one of the best. I knew her since elementary school and she was just always so kind. She knew my family and spoke at my daughters funeral. She will be missed and always remembered.
Bev Halter-Farley
Mrs. Evans was my second grade teacher and my very favorite teacher! I’ll never forget her! Rest in peace!
Frances Leary
My Sugy,
You summed it up best right before you passed when you said “we’ve had a good ride”. I’m sorry that the 42 years I’ve had with you is not enough to thank you for the unconditional love you have given me. I remember when I was little and fell bike riding you would blow on my skinned knees as you put medicine on them so it wouldn’t sting. You would always buy us the most beautiful Easter dresses for church and let me fall asleep in your arms as you and pop pop would talk at the kitchen table. Your my everything and I miss you so much but I am thankful your with pop pop and uncle John. “ more more more”
Love Franni, Travis, Mackenzie and Wyatt
karen M Gower
One of the greatest pleasures in my life was getting to know MARY. Vibrant selfless quick witted and awesome story teller. I so enjoyed our Friday lunches at the Farmers Market and your presence Mary will be so missed. Thank You dear sweet lady for allowing me to be a part of your life. Libby and family you are in my thoughts and prayers. RIP Mary
Mary Ficorella
I cherish every moment my family got to share with you but the selfish part of me knows it wasn’t near enough time. Thank you for showing me a grandmothers love and welcoming us into you family with open arms and a beautiful smile. Love Mary, Jen and Zack.
Geri Greenjack
She was our much loved Aunt. She shared many stories about our family that showed what a interesting bunch we were and still are. She always dwelt on the humorous side and there was plenty to go around. I guess all of us will have the sound of her sweet voice, caring words and her laughter etched in our memories. You always felt better off after a conversation with Aunt Mary Evelyn. I will miss her deeply.
Marie Quinn
What sweat and caring lady.My family loves you dearly. I will never forget when we went to Ocean City and made your coffee for you ever morning. You always were able to keep up with Sean jokes and gave it right back.I know your family misses you dearly.We think about you everyday. We all love you Shugy!
Love,
ReRe,Sean,Livy,Andrew&Lil Sean Quinn
Carol Anne Rantz
She was a wonderful Aunt and also loved my children and grandchildren as they were her own.She has been like a Mother to me. We have so many fond memories of her over these years. We will miss her terribly but are so thankful that she was devoted to God. We have the assurance she is in heaven with her loved ones. That is the peace that we have. Just know that you all are in our prayers!
Sheree (Miles) Marshall
Libby, Franni , Michelle and your families my heart and prayers are with you. This is a tremendous loss for the entire Miles family and the hundreds of others whose lives were touched by this wonderful person. Aunt Mary Evelyn and I shared unconditional love from as far back as I can remember as a child until her last day. The wonderful memories will be with me always. Your love and care for my father and my brother and me will not go unnoticed in heaven. The heart and spirit of an angel, Just like Mema Miles. If everyone had a heart and spirit like yours the world would be a better place. My most favorite aunt for all my life, I miss you terribly. Im sure you are with all our loved ones playing piano and telling stories of the past like no one else could. You brought them to life vivid and funny. Like the one of Buster and daddy at the movies. Gone but never forgotten and sorely missed and loved by us all.
Charlotte Schoen
I feel truly blessed to have been lucky enough to know Mary and call her a friend. She was grandmother to my daughter-in-law, Michelle and great grandmother to my grandchildren, Alex and Maddie and it was plain to see the love she had for them and they had for her. She opened her heart to my son, Jeff and treated him like her own grandson. She was a truly gentle and kind person with a ready smile and a kind word for everyone. I cannot ever remember a negative word from her. My heart aches for Libby, Michelle and Franni along with the rest of your family. Your Sugy will be missed by all who knew her, but, hopefully, her spirit will live on in all the memories we have of this wonderful woman.
Nancy Beausang Meade
Mary was a family friend for over 60 years. I enjoyed working with her at the Wilmington Manor School not too many years ago. I was privileged to teach her grand daughter and her great grand daughter. Mary was one of the most positive people I’ve ever had the pleasure to know. She always found the bright side of any situation and was known for her beautiful smile, kindness, and thoughtfulness toward others. RIP sweet lady! You have had a positive influence on so many people, both students and parents alike.
Joseph Sill
Mrs. Evans was my 2nd grade teacher at Manor Park Elementary School. She was such a wonderful teacher. I remember visiting her often, not only at school, but also at her home. My father use to do her hair too. I always wondered what happento Mrs. Evans. Prayers for her family.
I know she will be Missed.