LaVelle Jeanette Herrick Siemasko Draper, lovingly known as &uot;Mom&uot; and &uot;Grammy,&uot; died Thursday, July 31, 2003, at the age of 78. LaVelle was a native of Suffolk and a graduate of Blackstone College for Women.

She had retired from A&P Tea Co. as a traffic manager. Mrs. Draper was a member of Magnolia United Methodist Church, and was a former member of St. Mary’s of the Presentation.

She was the daughter of the late Arthur Lankford and Robbie Odell Felton Herrick. Mrs. Draper was also preceded in death by her half-brother, Arthur Lankford Herrick Jr. Mrs. Draper was the widow of A.D. Siemasko and Homer Draper.

Survivors include daughters, Dr. Carol S. Elder-Birnbaum of Marquette Mich.; Cynthia S. Ferguson, and husband, C. Phillips Ferguson, of Suffolk; grandsons, Jonathan Bruce Elder of Seattle, Wash.; Scott Phillips Ferguson, and wife, Jan Vu Ferguson, and Robert Martin Ferguson, all of Suffolk; half-sister, Nancy H. Logan of Douglasville, Ga.; and her special pet kitty cat, &uot;Pumpkin.&uot;

Her daughters will remember their mother as one who through their formative years sacrificed much so that they could experience the richness of life, with love and laughter.

A celebration of life service will take place at 11 a.m. Monday at the graveside at Cedar Hill Cemetery with the Rev. H. Vance Mann III officiating.

Friends and family will be received at the home of Cynthia and C. Phillips Ferguson, 1115 Pine Valley Dr.

The family would like to express its sincere gratitude to caregiver Angie Pitsenbarger and special neighbors Howard and Majorie Hendron, and Jerry Howell.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Nansemond-Suffolk Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1515, Suffolk, Va. 23439, or the Suffolk Shelter for the Homeless, 400 Finny Ave., Suffolk, Va. 23434.

Parr Funeral Home is serving the family.