Sedley – Roy Carl Drake, 65, passed away May 9, 2011 at his residence. A lifelong resident of Sedley, he was a son of the late Lorenzo Roy and Lona Turner Drake and was predeceased by his first wife, Margaret Bradshaw Drake; three sisters, Barbara C. Drake, Eleanor R. Drake Barnes, Dorothy L. Godwin; and three brothers, Billy L. Drake, Clinton Drake, and Milton Drake. Roy was retired from Union Camp Corporation after 31 ½ years in the sheet finishing department. He was a former member of Sedley Ruritan Club, Sedley Recreation Association, and Mr. Roy's Kids. He was a former National Guardsman and a member of Grace Memorial United Methodist Church.
Roy attended Southampton High School, Danville Technical Institute, Liberty University BS & Moody Bible Institue, Andersonville Baptist Seminary, and Duke Divinity School. Roy was a life member of BASS; life and endowment member of NRA; and a member of Loyal Order of Moose. Roy served as Asst. Pastor of the Wakefield Charge of the UMC and was the first Pastor of the Rocky Hock Ivor Charge. At his death, he was serving as Pastor of Burton's Grove Christian Church, UCC, and was named as their Pastor Emeritus on April 24, 2011. He taught at Eastern Carolina Christian College for over 12 years and loved every minute of it. Roy loved his garden and yard work where he felt close to God. Roy had a wonderful life. That says it all.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Evelyn Barlow Drake and her sons; two daughters, Nancy V. Beale and Wendy V. Twisdale (Pete); two grandchildren, Petie and Victoria Twisdale; a sister, Sarah D. Forrest (E. D.); a brother, Frank Drake (Judy); two brothers-in-law, Blair Barnes and Ralph A. Godwin, Jr. (the best friend I ever had); sister-in-law, Cindy Halstead (the best thing that ever happened to my brother, Billy); many nieces , nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
A memorial service will be conducted at 1:00 pm Saturday, May 21, 2011 in the chapel of Wright Funeral Home with the Rev. Wayne Rickman officiating. Interment will be private. A reception will follow the memorial service at Grace Memorial United Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to Burton's Grove Christian Church, c/o Celia Parsons, 202 Jefferson Drive, Smithfield, VA. 23430; or to a favorite charity. Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, is assisting the family.