Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Drawbaugh

MARY ELIZABETH "BETTY" DRAWBAUGH, 97, of Little Rock went to be with Jesus on Aug. 13, 2010. She was born Sept. 15, 1912, in Harrisburg, Penn. She moved to Little Rock from Syracuse, N.Y., in 1955. She was preceded in death by her parents, Laura Rebecca Estricher and Harry Walter Estricher; and by her brother, Henry Adam Estricher. She is survived by her loving husband of 71 years, Bruce E. Drawbaugh; and her sons, Stewart Drawbaugh of Little Rock and Gary Drawbaugh and his wife, Shirley of Conway; two grandchildren, Doug Drawbaugh and his wife, Jennifer of Greenbrier, Ark., and Danny Drawbaugh of Little Rock; three great-grandchildren, Brandon and Lauren Elizabeth Drawbaugh of Greenbrier, Ark., and James M. Adkins III, USMC, Okinawa, Japan. Betty graduated from John Harris High School and attended Seton Hill College, Greensburg, Pa., and Central Pennsylvania Business College. She worked for Bell Telephone Company. She was one of the first teachers in the Head-Start program and taught at Darnall's Kindergarten in Little Rock for 35 years. She also was active and taught in the Weight Watchers' program for 30 years. Betty joined St. Paul UMC in 1955 and was a teacher, counselor and avid volunteer. She started the Chrismon tree tradition with her husband at St. Paul's and in Arkansas, traveling throughout the state to teach others how to make Chrismon ornaments. She was always interested in drama, and she directed plays at St. Paul UMC including "Amahl the Night Visitor," and in 1951, a real hit, "Women of the Bible" for which she received a standing ovation. She was also in the prison ministry for 30 years with her son Gary. She lived at Good Shepherd Retirement Center for 27 years where she and her husband were always very active in the community. Betty never missed a Razorback game. She was selected Queen of Greenbrier Nursing and Rehab Center. The family would like to thank the staff for all the love and care they showed Mom. A celebration of her life will be Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010, at 3 p.m. in St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2223 Durwood Rd., Little Rock, Ark., Pastor Blake Bradford officiating, a reception following. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.