Newsoms – Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie" Barnes Drake, 97, devoted wife, mother and grandmother, passed away August 20, 2009 in Franklin. A lifelong resident of Newsoms, she was born August 3, 1912 to the late Cora and Henry Barnes. She was the widow of Genie Drake and they enjoyed 69 years of marriage prior to his death.
Mrs. Drake is survived by two sons, George Thomas Drake (Mary) of Newsoms and Curtis W. Drake (Marjorie) of Capron; two daughters, Marion Drake Poole and Loretta Drake Faison (Mills), both of Franklin; seven grandchildren, George Thomas Drake, Jr., Richard Allen Poole, Melody Faison Tayloe (Allan), Beth Poole Drake (Franklin), Pamela Faison Story (Doug), Lisa Drake Skeeters (John), and Shara Faison Pearce (David); twelve great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild expected in November; and a host of nieces and nephews. Mrs. Drake was predeceased by a granddaughter, Tonya Kaye Faison, a son-in-law, Dick Poole, three sisters, Lillie Mae Drake, Rosa Gray Taylor, and Betty Sue Vann and a half-brother, Robert "Bud" Barnes.
Mrs. Drake was employed by Saint Regis Paper Company for 30 years. She was a lifelong member of Newsoms Baptist Church and was an avid cook, gardener, homemaker, and Rook card player.
Services will be conducted at 4 pm Sunday, August 23, at Newsoms Baptist Church with the Reverends Jason Wise, Kenneth Williams and Curtis Faison officiating. Interment will follow at Hollywood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 pm Saturday at Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, and suggests that memorials be made to Newsoms Baptist Church, P. O. Box 312, Newsoms, Va. 23874 or a favorite charity.
The family expresses its gratitude to the medical staff at East Pavilion Nursing Home and to the Franklin Chapter of Hospice. Condolences may be offered at www.wrightfuneralhome.org.