September 21, 1953 – December 5, 2024

Karen Denise Draper Mayberry, “Denise,” died peacefully on December 5, 2024 in The Woodlands, Texas. She was born September 21, 1953 to I.E. and Elsie Draper in Freeport, Texas and raised in Clute. The third of four children, she grew up with a strong sense of family and community. She was proud to be a captain of the first Brazoswood High School drill team where she graduated in 1972. She worked for many years as a bookkeeper, including BACH that was so dear to her.

She had a variety of hobbies. She learned how to decorate cakes for Kasey’s birthday parties and became the unofficial cake baker of the family long before realizing her calling as a caterer. As a young woman, she studied American Chi-Tung-Do under Joe Acton and earned her 2^nd degree blue belt. She played co-ed softball with her childhood best friend, Jane Woody Blanchard, and even served a term on the Liverpool City Council. She was so proud to have her Native American heritage verified and to be the great-great-granddaughter of Isaiah “Pony” Griffin of the Mississippi Choctaw tribe.

She met Pat, the love of her life, at Alvin First United Methodist Church. They married October 3, 1998 surrounded by friends and family. With Pat she came into a fullness of life and embraced her gift of hospitality. She spent many years as a Princess House consultant where she met lifelong friends and enjoyed several trips to Hawaii with Pat. Their other favorite vacation spot was New Orleans because of their love of Mardi Gras and Cajun food. Together, they decided to pursue catering fulltime. Pat became “Chef Pat” and Southern Elegance soon became a community favorite. They loved catering weddings and praying for new couples. They were passionate about serving at different camps and ministering to attendees with their delicious food. They are so thankful for the time spent at various camps such as the Lone Survivor Foundation and for all the wonderful friendships they made over the years. When Covid hit, they transitioned their business model to food delivery as a “supper club,” a clever way to keep cooking and serving their people.

After Pat died of a sudden heart attack at Thanksgiving 2023, Denise insisted on keeping Southern Elegance going. She was able to do so with the help of dear friends. She continued to live life to the fullest, going on not one but two cruises in her final year. She enjoyed spending time with family and visitors. She taught her granddaughters all her baking secrets and supervised special Halloween Cookies that she personally delivered for her favorite nurses at MD Anderson – League City. She will be remembered for her vivaciousness and quick wit, claiming her favorite colors as purple and “glitter,” and for giving the very best hugs.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Patrick Mayberry, her parents, Ivan Ervin and Elsie Draper, and her dear sister Doris Rogers. She is survived by her daughter Kasey Davis, son-in-law Justin, her two beautiful granddaughters Audrey and Claire, her sister Glenda and husband Buddy Thomas, brother Mike and wife Pam Draper, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life for Denise will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at Alvin Methodist Church at 4pm with a reception to follow. The family extends their unending gratitude to the entire staff at MD Anderson in League City where “Mrs. Mayberry” was greeted by name as soon as she entered the door, to the care team at Memorial Hermann in The Woodlands, and to Vitas Hospice.