Elsie Cox Draper

Elsie Cox Draper passed away peacefully on May 17, 2026, in Lone Tree, Colorado, at the age of 94.

Born in Oak Park, Illinois, to Russell Earl Cox and Edna Thome Cox, Elsie lived a life defined by breaking barriers, embracing adventure, and fiercely loving her family.

Elsie pursued her passion for literature at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English. Following her graduation, she married Charles Spears and moved with his military career to Washington and Hawaii. After being widowed in 1958, she returned to Oak Park and went on to achieve a Juris Doctor from the Northwestern University School of Law.

In 1963, Elsie began a trailblazing legal career that spanned nearly four decades. She practiced first at Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago. She then married Porter Draper and they established a practice in Gary, Indiana. Next the family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she became the first female attorney and the first female partner at the law firm, GableGotwals, all while raising her five children. As an accomplished litigator, she secured numerous high-profile case victories, earning the deep respect of her peers and paving the way for generations of women in law.

Upon retiring in 2001, Elsie moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she chose to channel her legal expertise into service, volunteering generously with Atlanta Legal Aid. She later relocated to Highlands Ranch, Colorado to be closer to family and the mountains she loved.

To those who knew her, Elsie was the definition of intelligence, elegance and determination, possessing a sharp wit, wonderful humor, and a gift for hosting unforgettable gatherings. She was a global traveler, an avid reader, especially of history and historical biographies, and exceptionally skilled in sewing, knitting, and cooking.

Elsie lived an extremely active life and her energy was boundless. She learned to ski in her early twenties and held a season pass in Breckenridge, Colorado until just a year before her passing. One of her greatest joys was skiing down the mountain alongside her children and grandchildren. She was also a lifelong, die-hard Chicago Cubs fan whose decades of loyalty were famously rewarded when she attended their historic World Series victory in 2016.

Above all, Elsie encouraged, supported, and deeply loved her family. She leaves behind a rich legacy and is survived by her five children, Stuart Spears (Michelle), Dianne Draper (Timothy Heacox), Cooper Draper (Teresa), Tiffany Draper Siegel (Michael), and Porter Draper, Jr. (Brooke); her eight grandchildren, Shaunna Spears, Charles Spears (Maggie), Corynne Heacox Jaynes (Matthew), Kent Heacox (Shianne), Emily Siegel, Jack Siegel, Austin Draper, and Avery Draper; her six great-grandchildren, James Spears, Amelia Spears, Hayden Jaynes, Easton Jaynes, Gunnar Heacox, and Charles Heacox; her sister-in-law, Ursula Cox; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Charles Spears, Porter Draper, Sr., William Elmore, and partner Donald Pascal; her brother, Milton Cox; her grandson, Russell Spears; and her dearest lifelong friend, Barbara Caruso.

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 17, 2026 from 5:30 - 7:00 pm at Leonard Memorial Funeral Home, 565 Duane Street, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137. The funeral will begin at 9:30 am on Thursday, June 18th at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 393 N Main St., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137. Interment at Chapel Hill Gardens West Cemetery and lunch reception to follow.

The family respectfully requests that flowers not be sent to the funeral. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Elsie's honor to: Ohio Wesleyan University online at owu.edu, Designation: Ohio Wesleyan Fund; or by mail to: 61 S. Sandusky St. Delaware, OH 43015  or  Atlanta Legal Aid online at atlantalegalaid.org; or by mail to: 54 Ellis St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30303; or a charity of your choice.

For more information on arrangements please call Leonard Memorial Home at (630) 469-0032.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Elsie Cox Draper, please visit our Tree Store.