James Morris Draper

A former Simpson Co., KY native, Mr. James Morris Draper, age 71 of Murfreesboro, TN, passed away on December 25, 2023 at 8:40 PM at the Community Care of Rutherford County in Murfreesboro, TN.

Visitation will be Saturday, December 30, 2023 from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM at Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. Celebration of life service will be at 1:00 PM Saturday at the funeral home.

James was born December 13, 1952 to the late James Fowler Draper and the late Henritta Elizabeth Taylor Draper Kirby.  He was preceded in death by his step-father, Euel Kirby; brother-in-law, Bobby Phillips; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Elbert and Jo Ann Ferguson.

James is survived by his wife of 46 years Sherri Feguson Draper; 2 children, Philip Landis Draper of Murfreesboro, TN and James Michael Draper (Suzanne) of Spring Hill, TN; 4 grandchildren, Ezekiel Reagan Draper-Shepherd, Emma James Draper, Miriam Margaret Draper-Shepherd and Haden Robert Draper; a sister, Margaret Draper Phillips of Franklin, KY; a brother, Donald Cleveland Kirby (Gayla) of Harrison, TN; several nieces and nephews.

James was retired Church of Christ minister, he was a member of the North Boulevard Church of Christ in Murfreesboro.  He was an avid UK fan and loved to play golf and spend time with his family.

In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made to the Freed-Hardmen University at https://fhu.edu/give or to the Parkinson’s Foundation of Kentucky and Tennessee at https://www.parkinson.org/tnky.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory website is www.gilbertfhonline.com. The Facebook page is Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc.  The obituary phone line is 270-586-8844.