“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28
Betty Joyce Draper Damper, 76, a native of Huntsville, left her earthly home on Friday, January 12, 2024, at Huntsville Hospital. Betty was born on July 22, 1947, in Huntsville, AL, the eldest child of Mother Willie Mae Draper and the late Superintendent Dave Draper Sr. In 1983, she married Willie Damper Jr. Betty was the proud mother of three sons, and one daughter and the grandmother of ten.
Growing up one generation removed from the family’s sharecropping roots; Betty was continually encouraged by her parents to pursue her education. She is a graduate of Huntsville’s historic William Hooper Councill High School and Alabama A&M University where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. Betty chose the field of Counseling Psychology to fulfill her desire to help others identify and develop their life goals. She began her career, in 1975, as an Academic Counselor and Advisor at Alabama A&M University.
In 1983, Betty moved with her husband to Erie, PA where she resided for 29 years. While there, she joined Mercyhurst University as the Director of Tutoring and Counseling Services and was later promoted to Director of Academic Programs. She took great pride in assisting students to develop and pursue their educational goals. Betty believed in creating equitable access to higher education. Because of her dedication to fundraising for academic programming, Mercyhurst received support to serve the needs of academically at-risk students for over twenty years. Through her program development, every student received individualized support services warranted to obtain a college education. In 2009, Betty retired from Mercyhurst University after 27 years of academic leadership.
Spiritually, Betty was reared in a Godly home where strong Christian values were both taught and demonstrated. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior as a young woman. Betty freely shared personal struggles that she overcame through programs based in spiritual and Christian Counseling. She was a devout bible scholar, a dedicated Sunday School teacher, and a leader of Right Way Church of God in Christ Women’s Ministry. Betty served as a spiritual mentor to many at every stage of their walk. In her own words: “My greatest need and my search for meaning has been found in the person of Jesus Christ as revealed by the Holy Spirit. I proudly acknowledge that I am His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works and the life I now live is by the grace of God.”
Upon their return to Huntsville, until death, both she and her husband, Willie Damper Jr. served under the leadership of her brother, Rev. Jesse Draper in the ministry of Right Way Church of God in Christ. While living in Erie, PA, she served alongside her husband as he pastored Superior Emmanuel Church of God in Christ.
Betty Damper was preceded in death by her father Dave Draper Sr. and her sister-in-law Marion Draper. She leaves to cherish her memory her mother, Willie Mae Draper; her husband, Willie Damper Jr.; her children, Rodney Crenshaw (Rhonda), Calvin Crenshaw (Stephanie), Kevin Crenshaw, Mavis Burks (Sylvea); her grandchildren, [Rodney] Cecilia Godfrey (Davere), Celeste Crenshaw, Josef Crenshaw, Darryan Rogers, Dalton Rogers, Darah Rogers Rheagan Crenshaw, [Calvin] Adaeze Marie Crenshaw, Calvin Hilliard Crenshaw, and Calvin David-Clark Crenshaw; her brothers, Dave Draper Jr. and Jesse Draper; her sister-in-law Linda Draper; her sisters in love, Linda Anderson and Brenda Toney; her aunts, Pearlie Mae Draper and Beaulah Draper; her uncles, Elton Draper, Oscar Draper (Geraldine); special friends, Linda Myers, Sandra Blue, Willyrene Peggy White, a host of loving nieces and nephews who were much like her children, her Right Way church family and a host of loving cousins, and family friends.
Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 20, 2024, at the Draper Memorial Church of God in Christ (313 Beirne Ave NE, Huntsville, AL 35801) with Pastor Jesse Draper officiating. Interment will be in the Valhalla Memory Gardens. Mrs. Damper will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.
The Damper family will receive guests from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday, January 19, 2024, at the Royal Chapel of Memories.
Public viewing will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., Friday, January 19, 2024, and 8:30 until 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 20, 2024, at the Royal Funeral Home.
