David Draper

A celebration of life service for Dr. David Gilbert Draper, age 71 of Cookeville, will be held Thursday, April 14th at 1:00 p.m. in the Cookeville chapel of Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Cookeville City Cemetery. Rev. Rob Wheeler will officiate. His family will receive friends Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Dr. Draper died Sunday April 10, 2022 at his residence. He was born November 11, 1950 in Sparta, TN to the late Newton Byrne and Alene Lois Brown Draper. He graduated from Tennessee Tech University with a bachelor's degree in Chemistry and earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) Degree from The University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in Memphis. Dr. Draper's career as a Dentist in private practice spanned 42 years. His expertise and gentle nature endeared him to his many loyal patients throughout those years. He was also an accomplished golfer, excelling in a sport that he enjoyed playing from a child throughout his life. He won the Cookeville City Amateur Championship in 1995 and totaled nine holes-in-one in his life, including two holes-in-one during a single eighteen hole round. He was an Eagle Scout and longtime supporter of Boy Scouts. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by infant sister, Ann Brown Draper; and by son in law, Brandin Bays. He is survived by his wife of eight years, Leslie Sullins Draper; daughter, Whitney Bays, of Cookeville; son, David "Gil" Gilbert Draper Jr., of Knoxville; granddaughter, Charlotte Bays; brother, James Newton "Jim" (Vickie) Draper, of Cookeville; cousins, Jimmy and Sally Witherspoon and John and Betty Witherspoon; brothers and sisters in law, Tony and Laura Brock and William and Tina Methvin; and by his best friend since age four, Chip Carlen. Chip Carlen, Davis Watts, Jim Woodford, Dr. James Vaden, Bob McCaulley, Tom Hotsinpillar and Martin Foutch will serve as pallbearers. Memorial contributions are suggested to be made to Boy Scout Troop 108 and/or The American Heart Association. Hooper-Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111. Share memories and condolences at www.hhhfunerals.com