Mary Ann (Russell) Draffen

Obituary MARY ANN DRAFFEN Mary Ann Draffen, 101 of Kansas City, Missouri received her wings to the Gates of Heaven on August 29, 2019. She was born on December 8, 1917 in Olean, Missouri to Carrie Smith and Melvin Russell. Mary grew up and received her education in California, Missouri. Mary Ann moved to Kansas City, Missouri and married Willis L. Draffen, Sr. on December 8,1944. In this union two children were born Willis Draffen Jr. and Marian Draffen- McCormick. On January 1, 1986, Willis L. Draffen, Sr. preceded her in death after 42 years of marriage. Her son, Willis L. Draffen, Jr. was called home to Glory on February 8, 2002. Mrs. Draffen did domestic work until the age of 87. Mary did not have a church home. However, she was a firm believer in God and believed in the power of prayer. Mary, known as Mama D, was the matriarch of the family and the community grandmother. She was fun, loving, caring, intuitive, and willing to help anyone in need. Mama D had a heart of gold she was a woman of wisdom. She would listen to your deepest thoughts or concerns and she never advised you wrong. On a rainy day, she would be your sunshine. Mama D enjoyed sharing jokes, dancing, cooking, and a house full of children whom she referred to as her friends. Mama D was always the life of the party. The world-renowned R&B group, Bloodstone (originally knowas as The Sinceres), was formed at Mr. and Mrs. Draffen’s home. Their home was made available to the group for rehearsals for over a decade. They allowed friends of the group to come over and witness the bank work toward perfecting their dream. She was preceded in death by two sisters; Alice (Faye) Balance and Erma (Aunt B) Webb; three brothers, Ocie Webb, Herbert (Skinny) Russell and John (J.B.) Webb; one nephew, Truman Williams, all of Kansas City, Missouri.She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter Marian (Charles) McCormick of Carson, California, one sister Eula Mae Smith of Kansas City, Missouri, grandchildren, LaTonia Draffen, Ramona Draffen-Jackson of Kansas City, Missouri, Tiffini Draffen of Los Angeles, California, Michael Jackson of Houston, Texas, Camille McCormick and Marland McCormick of Carson, California; two nephews, John (Dorothy) Baker and Hebert W. Russell; and one niece, Gloria (Herb) Bradshaw all of Kansas City, Missouri; Extanded Family: grandchildren, Angela Sanderson, Joy Fletcher, and Steve Davis all of Kansas City, Missouri; special daughters-in-law, Gwendolyn (Eddie) Fletcher and Mary M. Draffen of Kansas City, Missouri; 19 great grand-children, 34 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at Watkins Heritage Chapel. Visitation 9:00 A.M. Interment Forest Hill and Calvary Cemetery. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Ann (Russell) Draffen, please visit our floral store. Read More

Mary Ann (Russell) Draffen

December 8, 1917 - August 29, 2019