Mary Evalyn Drake

Mary Zarifis Drake, age 97, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Ardmore, Oklahoma. A woman of remarkable resilience and grace, Mary’s life spanned nearly a century of history, beginning in the heart of the Midwest and ending as the matriarch of a large and devoted family.

Born on January 29, 1929, in Waterloo, Iowa, Mary was the daughter of Michael John Zarifis (Meletiadis Zafiropoulos), a native of Anemorkie, Greece, and Agnes Marie Millenbaugh-Rutschilling, a native of Maria Stein, Ohio. Growing up during the Great Depression, Mary developed a quiet strength and practical wisdom that she carried with her for all of her 97 years.

Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 66 years, George Elliott Drake, a second-generation native of El Paso, Texas. Their decades of marriage stood as a profound testament to loyalty, partnership, and an enduring love that anchored their family through the years. Together, Mary and George shared a deep passion for the open road. They especially enjoyed traveling with the Airstreamers of the Paso del Norte Unit in Region 11, where they built lasting friendships and explored the country under the iconic silver roofs of their caravans.

At home, Mary found great joy in her flower gardens. She had a particular love for the vibrant colors of nature, and her favorites were the bright red geraniums and the classic bluebonnets that heralded the arrival of spring.

She is survived by her four children: her sons, George Michael Drake and John Dominic Drake; and her daughters, Mary Agnes Drake and Elizabeth Ann Drake.

She is also survived by her cherished grandsons: Anthony Drake Marchioni and his wife, Carly Gershuny, the son of Mary Agnes Drake and Paul Jeffrey Marchioni; and Edward Christopher Murphy and his wife, Krystal Wilkins, and Sean Alexander Murphy, the sons of Elizabeth Ann Drake and the late Edward John Murphy. Her legacy continues through her beloved great grandson, Alistair Drake Murphy, the son of Edward and Krystal Murphy.

Though her journey ended in Oklahoma, Mary remained a daughter of Iowa at heart—a woman of character, a keeper of family history, and a guiding light to those she loved. Her life was a beautiful testament to endurance, devotion, and the legacy of a family that spans four generations.

The family has entrusted Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home in Austin with the final arrangements. They can be reached at (512) 335-1155 for those wishing to send flowers, share memories, or inquire about service details.

Mary will be laid to rest on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery and Prayer Gardens in Georgetown, Texas.

The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to the doctors, nurses, chaplains, and staff at Mercy Hospital in Ardmore. Their dedication, caring, kindness, and professionalism provided Mary with immense comfort and dignity in her final days.

In honor of Mary’s lifelong love for her garden, the family suggests that those who wish to remember her might plant a bright red geranium or a patch of bluebonnets this spring, allowing her memory to continue to bloom in the hearts of those who knew her.