Newsoms, Virginia - Mary Davis Drake, 89, departed this world peacefully on November 17, 2023, with her loving family by her side. Her courageous battle with dementia ended just days before her birthday. Mary was born in Conway, North Carolina on November 27, 1933, to the late Judith and Raymond Davis.

Upon graduation as salutatorian from Conway High School, she received her Associate's Degree in Business from Chowan College. Mary began her business career with Rocky Mount Mills before accepting a position at the Bank of Conway as the assistant to the bank's attorney and chief officer. She remained there until she met the love of her life, George Thomas Drake, Sr., whom she married in January 1958. She relished her role as the supportive wife of a successful farmer and took on the bookkeeping duties of the growing business. Mary and George took pride in the family they built together and especially cherished their most important titles as "D and DD" to their granddaughter, Ryleigh.

An avid gardener, Mary enjoyed preparing home cooked meals using her fresh vegetables to create Sunday feasts for the family. She will always be remembered for her famous fried chicken, butterbeans, yellow squash, turkey stuffing, and sweet cucumber pickles. Mary also fulfilled Tommy's numerous requests for a cheeseburger and fries with a meal that rivaled a "Shoney's Big Boy"! Mary enjoyed reading, traveling, playing cards, and dancing in her spare time. She was a longtime member of Newsoms Baptist Church and enjoyed her role as the Vacation Bible  School Director for many years. Mary also gave back to her community through her involvement with the Newsoms Woman's Club and as a PTA officer in the local schools. She was a past member of the Franklin Moose Lodge where she and George spent many weekends dancing with friends.

In addition to her parents, Mary was predeceased by her loving husband of 65 years, George Thomas; brothers William, Harry Byrd, Joe, and Billy Davis; sister, Annie Frances Davis; sisters-in-law Mary Elizabeth Davis, Martha Davis, Marion Drake Poole and Loretta Drake Faison; brother-in-law Dick C. Poole; nieces Shelly Webb and Tonya Faison; and nephews Jeff and Joey Davis.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, George Thomas "Tommy" Drake, Jr., (Debra); daughter, Lisa Drake Skeeters (John); and the apple of her eye, granddaughter, Ryleigh Elizabeth Skeeters. Mrs. Drake is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Peggy Davis and Carol Davis; brothers-in-law, Curtis W. Drake (Margie) and Mills B. Faison, Jr.; and many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A celebration of life funeral service will be held on Sunday, November 26, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. in Newsoms Baptist Church, Newsoms, Virginia with the Reverends Tom Wallace and Curtis Faison officiating. Burial will follow in Hollywood Cemetery in Newsoms. The family will receive visitors on Saturday, November 25, 2023, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Wright Funeral Home in Franklin, Virginia and during other times at the home of Tommy Drake, 24254 Thomston Road, Newsoms. Memorial donations may be made to Newsoms Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 312, Newsoms, Virginia 23874 or Gentiva Hospice (in memory of Mary D. Drake), 595 Old Wagner Road, Petersburg, Virginia 23805.

The family offers special thanks to Gentiva Hospice and Mary's wonderful caregivers Angie Smith, Elizabeth DelVecchio, Tonya Tyler, Kathy Williams, Towyna Davis, Tina Wilkerson, and Edna Worrell. Mary will be deeply missed and will always be remembered for her kindness and compassion.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org