Elizabeth (Lizzie) Pearlman Draper

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Pearlman Draper passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at home surrounded by her family and under the watchful eye of her faithful dog, Scout.

A lifelong resident of Asheville, NC, she graduated from Asheville High School and Western Carolina University, where she began to develop the network of loyal friends who formed the community that enriched her life beyond measure. Elizabeth’s inherent kindness and generosity drew people to her. Her broad smile and contagious laugh enlivened every gathering. These friends remained by her side to the end, always ready with a food delivery, a helping hand or a warm embrace.

Elizabeth’s family was anchored by her husband, Taft Draper, and her beloved children, Lily and Seth. A devoted and caring daughter, Elizabeth spent many hours in the company of her parents, Sally and Lowell Pearlman and she loved that they lived so close by. Lizzie’s extended family includes her sister, Laura Goulian (Eric) of Raleigh, NC, her brother-in-law Troy Draper (Mandy) of Asheville, NC, her nieces and nephews and father-in-law Ed Draper (Asheville). She was pre-deceased by her mother-in-law, Jo Draper. Lizzie grew up down the street from her paternal grandparents, Anne and Fred Pearlman, who doted on her. Additionally, she was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Rosemary and Harry Weber of Chattanooga, TN, and her uncle, Dr. Sam Weber, MD, (Simone) of Houston. In addition to numerous first cousins, Elizabeth is survived by her aunt Susan McDaniel (Skipper) of San Angelo, TX, her uncle Dr. Randall Weber, MD, (Janie) of Austin, TX, and her uncle Skip Pearlman (Mary Hood) of Asheville. Beyond her immediate family, she is survived by a large network of cousins, most especially her Pearlman cousins in Florida, who made every summer more fun and joined Sally and Lizzie on their many excursions and adventures around Western North Carolina.

A social worker by training, she taught at the Jewish Community Center Preschool for several years before she became a visiting professional for Blue Ridge Mental Health, supporting families with special-needs children from 0-3. For many years, she worked for Buncombe County Schools as a parent engagement specialist at Charles T. Koontz Intermediate School in South Asheville. She was a devoted booster of public schools, as a parent, volunteer and employee. She fervently supported every child and family’s right to be part of a thriving, welcoming educational community. Her school family, led by Principal Reginald Bright, was a source of support and joy to her. She was so proud of her school and the team there.

Since receiving a cancer diagnosis in 2021, Elizabeth carried on with her life, working at Koontz, embracing any opportunity for a walk in the North Carolina Arboretum with her mother and their dogs, a pool party with friends or meal out at a new restaurant. She refused to allow her condition to define her or dampen her spirit, never complaining or sinking into despair. She experienced periods of optimism in her treatment, but as time went on she required numerous trips with Taft to Duke Hospital where specialists extended the outstanding care she received in Asheville. Only immediate family and a few friends fully understood the demands her condition placed on her, Taft and their kids.

With gratitude for their expertise, compassion and guidance the family wishes to thank Dr. Martin Palmeri, MD, and his team at Messino Cancer Center in Asheville, Dr. Michael Morris, MD, and Dr. Coral Giovacchini, MD, of Duke Cancer Center who always made Elizabeth and Taft feel heard and safe in their care. Dr. David Troxler, MD, of Asheville supported Elizabeth’s parents and family with his ability to translate complex medical issues into plain language and explain the role of palliative care principles in cancer treatment. The team at Four Seasons Hospice leant dignity to her final days and guided Lizzie’s family with patience and clarity as they confronted her end-of-life challenges.

Lizzie’s life ended too soon and everything is a little dimmer without her shining smile.

In the spirit of how Elizabeth showed up for others, the family asks that you donate to a charity of your choice or that you perform a small act of kindness for someone else today.

The service will be held on Tuesday, December 30, 2025at 11am at Congregation Beth Ha Tephila, 43 North Liberty Street, Asheville, followed by a private interment at Riverside Cemetery where Elizabeth will join previous generations of her family who called Asheville home.

Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting the family.