LIVING TESTIMONY: Memphian Daphne Draper conquers battle with colon cancer, basking in her divine purpose as an accomplished entrepreneur

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you; But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-13 NIV)

SET ASIDE FOR GOD’S USE

**SHE LEADS, OTHERS FOLLOW —** *A native of Memphis, Daphne Draper is the face of Daphne’s Magic Touch, her popular beauty, cosmetic and personal care venture that has become a fixture in the Bluff City.*

With all due respect, Daphne Draper doesn’t need anyone to tell her testimony.

Given all through which she has conquered, God has equipped and blessed her mightily to share with the masses of His everlasting goodness and mercy.

Consider, for instance, Draper’s fervent rise as an accomplished Mid-South-area entrepreneur.

A native of Memphis, Draper is the face of Daphne’s Magic Touch, her popular beauty, cosmetic and personal care venture that has become a fixture in the Bluff City.

For Draper, her rise as a successful businesswoman comes amid humble beginnings, something by which she’s doesn’t merely take lightly.

**FAMILY AND FAITH —** Draper credits her mother, Beverly Sample, a retired Shelby County Sheriff Department employee, and her grandmother, Nancy Edmond — and entrepreneur in her own right of a local cleaning service — for inspiring her to diligently pursue her dreams.

“It is imperative that I esteem and inspire others to reach their highest potential in life, whether I’m standing behind the salon chair beautifying clients’ hair or whether I engage in pep talks on every day on life situations,” Draper, 50, told Making Headline News during a recent interview. “I can be found listening and leaving one with a positive outlook on this journey we call life. It’s always an upside to all things.”

If anyone can greatly attest to this notion, surely, it’s Draper, a colon cancer survivor whose awe-inspiring story has changed the overall landscape of her life.

MORE ON DRAPER’S VENTURE: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Beauty–Cosmetic—Personal-Care/Daphnes-Magic-Touch-204492470195954/

**IN HER OWN WORDS —** “One of my greatest assets is that my mind is my wealthiest asset,” Draper said. “I plan to ensure generations to come are always aware to be thinkers, givers and to remain humble. (We are to) always be found paving the way for someone that is where you will gain peace and power when we lend a hand up, we all win.”

“If I can be transparent, I’m inspired after grace and mercy intervened and I became a cancer survivor,” Draper said. “This was such a huge inspiration to the family and me.”

Considering Draper has survived what could be suitably described as a dreaded season in the wilderness, amongst the things about which she’s especially grateful is that God — through her cancer diagnosis — has spared her life with which she could savor along with her seven children and six grandchildren, she said.

“I’m extremely blessed to inspire,” said Draper, a graduate of Memphis’ historic Booker T. Washington High School. “My youngest son made me a military mom after enlisting in the Armed Forces on November 21, 2016. I’m in awe of how God allows us to experience sweet and sour moments in life just to assure us to focus on the sweet. The world highlights the sour.”

**THE ROMANS 8:28 FACTOR —** Considering Draper has survived what could be suitably described as a season in the wilderness, amongst the things about which she’s especially grateful is that God — through her cancer diagnosis — has spared her life with which she could savor with her seven children and six grandchildren, she said.

For Draper, even when she found herself saddled by a cancer diagnosis that essentially had given way to an assortment of pressing questions on her part, because of her unshakable faith, she was destined to make “sweet” what was seemingly a “sour” situation.

Much to her delight, she had a solid, spirit-fill supporting cast to help keep her in favorable spirits, most notably her beloved uncle, longtime Memphis Pastor Timothy Batts Sr. of Freedom Temple Church, who is her spiritual advisor.

Draper also credits her mother, Beverly Sample, a retired Shelby County Sheriff Department employee, and her grandmother, Nancy Edmond — and entrepreneur in her own right of a local cleaning service — for inspiring her to diligently pursue her dreams.

“One of my greatest assets is that my mind is my wealthiest asset,” Draper said. “I plan to ensure generations to come are always aware to be thinkers, givers and to remain humble. (We are to) always be found paving the way for someone that is where you will gain peace and power when we lend a hand up, we all win.”

Fortunately for Draper, she has been blessed to emerged victorious amid her battle with cancer.

**GOD’S PLAN —** *Given all through which she has conquered, God has equipped and blessed Draper mightily to share with the masses of His everlasting goodness and mercy.*

Amongst her notable achievements include having been a professional hairstylist since 1995, a caregiver since 1998, a Teeth Whitening Specialist, a fixture as one of the greeters at her local church as a well as coordinator/chairperson for her church’s anniversary committee. Interestingly, Draper is a Titus 2 Women’s Ministry executive board member, which is founded by Chiquita Turner.

In addition, she holds a cosmetologist license and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.

And, just recently, Draper’s business team spotlighted her “Character With Titus 2 Article,” which streamed via Facebook Live during which the full article clip was read.

Draper’s notable career path as an accomplished cosmetologist began at Southern Institute of Cosmetology (SIC).

MORE ON DRAPER’S VENTURE: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Beauty–Cosmetic—Personal-Care/Daphnes-Magic-Touch-204492470195954/

**SEASON OF THE REBIRTH —** *For Draper, her rise as a successful businesswoman comes amid humble beginnings, something by which she’s doesn’t merely take lightly.*

For more information about Mid-South area Daphne Draper of Daphne’s Magic Touch or to inquire about a public appearance or speaking engagement, connect with her via social media at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Daphnes-Magic-Touch-204492470195954/. Also, send email to: [email protected].

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EDITOR’S NOTE: If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, producer, author, athlete, musician, barber, life coach, motivational speaker, cosmetologist, tax preparer, model, or pastor/minister who is seeking exposure and would like to share your story with an in-depth news feature, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.

Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.