Mary Jean Davis Draper

Mary Jean Davis Draper of Provo, Utah, was born January 28, 1944, to William M. and Kathryn Baird Davis. She grew up in west central Provo and attended Franklin Elementary, Dixon Middle School, and Provo High School, graduating in 1962 before attending Brigham Young University.

Mary Jean spent more than 40 years working at BYU, including over three decades in the Department of Special Events. She played a key role in coordinating major university, athletic, cultural, and community events and was respected for her exceptional organizational abilities. She was also active in the International Association of Auditorium Managers. 

In 1979, she married Larry W. Draper in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Together, they raised two daughters, Whitney Elizabeth and Kathryn Kristine, who were the joy of her life. Nothing meant more to Mary Jean than her family, and she especially cherished her role as grandmother to Justin, Megan Jean, Nathan, Hyrum, and Henry Larson. Her greatest happiness came from supporting, loving, and spoiling her grandchildren.

After retiring from BYU, Mary Jean and Larry served a full-time LDS mission in the New York Rochester Mission as Historic Site missionaries in Palmyra, New York, a time they treasured deeply.

She is survived by her husband, Larry; daughters Whitney Larson (Jeff) and Kathryn (Katie) Draper; five grandchildren; her sister, Kathleen Gilchrist; her brother, William Lyle Davis; and many extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Doyle J. Davis, and her sister Donita Polson.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 11:00 am for invited family members only at Heber Cemetery.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.

For those unable to attend the services in person, you may view the Livestream HERE