Idabelle Mae Drayer, resident of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, was born September 24th, 1938 in Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania, a daughter of William & Mary (Barker) Razey. She departed this life Thursday, February 12, 2015 in her home with family by her side in Eureka Springs, at the age of 76 years.


Idabelle was a member of the Faith Christian Family Church in Eureka Springs. Above all, she loved spending time with her family. She had unwavering faith and loved writing her loved ones encouraging letters. Along with her husband Harold Drayer, they owned and operated many businesses including Abundant Memories in Eureka Springs.

Idabelle attended school in a one room school house. Her grandfather ran a train through the mountains and she often rode with him. After finishing school, she moved to Erie, PA and attended Cosmetology school where she would excel and become an instructor. It was during this time that she met, and then married, Harold Drayer and moved to the dairy farm. They began refinishing furniture to make extra money on the side. This was the beginning of a mission that would take their family from Pennsylvania, to Colorado, and eventually Eureka Springs, Arkansas where they built Abundant Memories Heritage Village and shared their faith and love for American history.

Most people have dogs and cats when they are kids, but when Idabelle was a growing up in the Appalachian Mountains, her family raised two black bears as pets. Idabelle would tell stories about how they would go wild for molasses cookies. When one of the bears acted a little too aggressively toward one of Idabelle's brothers, they were given to a traveling circus, but she always remembered them fondly.

Faith and Family were the two most important things to Idabelle. Even during the roughest times she held true to her faith, always put the needs of others first, and always maintained a positive attitude. Idabelle and Harold spent a lot of time on the road, and while she traveled she loved to write encouraging and inspirational letters to her loved ones.

It was very rare to get in trouble with Idabelle, but her children and grandchildren knew they were in trouble when she called them by her other children's and grandchildren's names before she got to them.

Idabelle never met a stranger. She was such a genuine friendly and loving person that everyone who ever met her instantly loved her, and she loved being around people. She enjoyed running her antique shop and visiting with new faces each day.

Even when the doctor informed her that she had a terminal illness, her faith and positive attitude never wavered. She simply looked at the doctor and said, "It's okay, Jesus has a plan for me."

Idabelle is survived by three daughters, Rebecca and husband Andy Stuart of Union City, PA, Bobbi and husband Alan Brown of Montrose, CO and Ruthie Jane Drayer of Eureka Springs, AR; two sons, Eugene Drayer of Eureka Springs, AR and Glenn Drayer and wife Karie of Branson, MO; three brothers, Bernard Razey and wife May Razey of Port Orchard, WA, David Razey and wife Connie of Olean, PA, and Howard Razey and wife Sara Razey of Smithport, PA; fifteen grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

On June 15, 1963, Idabelle (Razey) was united in marriage with Harold Theodore Drayer who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her parents, William & Mary Razey.