Cora Drury Graefe Obituary (1933 - 2013)

Cora Drury Graefe, 79, of Riverside, Texas, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away Thursday, May 23, 2013, in Galveston, Texas following a brief illness. She was born on November 12, 1933, in Huntsville, Texas, to James and Ella Hightower. Cora was raised in Huntsville, Texas, graduated from Huntsville High School, and later moved to Galveston County where she resided for 40 years. Cora was formerly employed by Southwestern Bell, Lipton Tea, and she retired in 1999 from the University of Texas Medical Branch after many years of service. Cora was a friend to everybody and she had a zest for life. She was a social bug, lived to party, and enjoyed life to the fullest. She cherished her time spent at her residence on "the river", the Trinity River, conversing with her sister and her close-knit neighbors. But most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her three precious grandbabies, Shelby, Reese and Colby. Cora was preceded in death by her parents and a dear brother-in-law, Edward L. "Pappy" Brooks. She is survived by her daughter Tracy Lyn Kadlecek and husband Shawn, of Hitchcock, Texas; three grandchildren; sister, Jimmie Brooks, of Riverside, Texas; nephew and niece, James and Pat Brooks, of Spring, Texas; and a host of other close relatives and friends. The family would like to thank the staff of the ACE Unit at UTMB for their very attentive and professional care. The visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, May 28, 2013. A funeral service will be held starting at 10:00 am on Wednesday, May 29, 2013. Burial will be held at 4:00 pm on Thursday, May 30, 2013 in Huntsville, Texas, at Oakwood Cemetery, Adickes Addition.