McMinnville resident and Blue Ridge, Ga., native Donald Moore Drake, 78, was born July 25, 1932 and died June 19 at Alvin C. York VA Hospital in Murfreesboro following an extended illness.
A retired industrial engineer with Rockford Textiles, a United States Army veteran of Korea, a member of the VFW, and a member of Rock Island Presbyterian Church, he was the son of the late Murray and Linnie Ione Moore Drake. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Sherry Drake; daughter, Becky Drake; and grandparents, Ernest and May Moore.
He married Betty Lance Drake of McMinnville on Dec. 24, 1991. In addition to his wife, he is survived by five children and their spouses, Steve Drake of Rock Island, Joy and Bud Simmons of Lebanon, Glenn Lance of Pulaski, Brent Lance of McMinnville and Linda Williamson of Woodbury; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Bill and Madeleine Drake of Fredericksburg, Texas and Murray and Jeanie Drake of Wilmington, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today in High’s Chapel with David Daugherty officiating. Burial will follow at Old Union Cemetery in White County. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until time of service today at High’s.
High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) June 22, 2011