Sue Draffen, 102 of Calvert City, KY passed away at 2:24 PM Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at her residence. Sue was born on February 27, 1921 to Tip & Olivia McGraw Morris in Lake Village, Arkansas and grew up in Mississippi.
She moved to Marshall County in 1939 and was known as a “dam girl” moving up and down the river due to her father’s job of building dams with the Tennessee Valley Authority. She married James Luther Draffen on April 27, 1941.
Along with her husband, she was an owner/operator of Draffen Mart Inc. She was an active member within the community and a life-long member of Calvert City United Methodist Church. She was a Past Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star, member of the Calvert City American Legion Auxiliary and was co-organizer of the first Parent Teacher Association at Calvert City Elementary School. In 2016, she was honored by getting to lead the Calvert City Lion’s Club’s 57th Annual Christmas Parade as Grand Marshal.
She is survived by a son, Jim Draffen (Carol) of Calvert City, KY; daughter-in-law, Dianne Draffen of Calvert City; five grandchildren, Tip (Angela) Draffen of Benton, KY, Mark (Jennifer) Draffen of San Mateo, CA, Stephen Draffen of Oxford, MS, Misti (David) Jaco of Benton, KY & Dee Ann (Caleb) Bogaczyk of Paducah Ky; eight great-grandchildren, Hunter Jaco, Hayden Jaco, Olivia Bogaczyk, Lauren Bogaczyk, Eleanor Draffen, Amelia Draffen, Oliver Draffen & Kylie Jones.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Tip & Olivia McGraw Morris; her husband of 66 years, James Luther Draffen and a son, John Morris Draffen.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or stjude.org
Funeral services will be at 12:00 PM Saturday, October 14, 2023 at the Life Celebration Center of Filbeck-Cann in Benton with Hayden Jaco officiating. Burial will follow at the Calvert City Cemetery.
Friends may call from 10:00 AM -12:00 PM on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at the Life Celebration Center of Filbeck-Cann in Benton.
To leave a message or share a memory please visit www.filbeckandcann.com.