Leota Fae Drake

Mrs. Leota Fae Drake, 92, passed away peacefully with family around her in Georgetown after a brief illness on January 3, 2026. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother who leaves behind a legacy of unwavering love and devotion to her family and friends.

Leota was born on October 12, 1933 to Cecil and Daisy Park and was one of five siblings. She grew up during the Great Depression on a farm in Portales, New Mexico and the family survived by hard work and resourcefulness. It was there she learned a strong work ethic and the values that would define her life including a determination to succeed, the significance of education, perseverance, and the importance of family and friends.

Leota married at a young age on April 4, 1948 to Gene Drake in Clovis, New Mexico. The union of Leota and Gene was a fruitful one and the Lord's wish for them to go forth and multiply was heeded. They were blessed with five children: Cecil Carl Drake (Dee), Patricia Lauren Turlington (Tom), Stephen Drake (Barbara), Anthony Drake (Anita), and Stanley Drake (Debbie).

All of their children had children including Cecily Drake, Christopher Drake, Evan Drake, Patrick Hodges, Mark Hodges, Kyle Matthew Hodges, Kyle Douglas Drake, Lauren Drake, Jessica Ann Drake, Philip Scott Drake, Jacqueline Rose Drake, Gene Aaron Drake, Jordan Drake and Joseph Drake. Many of these grandchildren have become parents and a one a grandparent!

Leota's children were all imbued with their parents' strong work ethic and blessed with having a mother who unconditionally loved and cared for them. Despite Leota dropping out of school at a young age to get married, she later obtained a GED and went on to obtain a BS in Education from Lamar Tech in Beaumont Texas.

Later she obtained a BS in Library Science from UT Austin and became the school librarian at Manor High School where she worked for 30 years prior to retirement. She loved the students at Manor High School and influenced so many of them with her guidance and wise counsel.

After retirement, she began a second career being a grandmother, a career for which she was well suited and one in which she found the greatest enjoyment and fulfillment.

Leota and Gene lived in a number of places including Pensacola, Florida; Hobbs, New Mexico; Charleston, Arkansas; Corpus Christi, Texas; Beaumont, Texas; and finally landed in Georgetown, Texas in 1968 at which time she told Gene that he could move again if he wanted to but she and the children were going to stay in Georgetown permanently.

Leota was an avid reader. Most of her life she read a book every day and sometimes had two books going at the same time. She also loved Texas native plants and for many years was devoted to her landscaping activities and still has many perennial wild flowers which continue to bloom in her yard. She was an outstanding cook and made three healthy, nutritious meals each day for her family. She was one of the first people in Georgetown to have a microwave oven and she tried new and delicious recipes frequently. Leota was a skilled and talented dancer and she enjoyed all styles of country western dancing. She danced whenever she could and usually stayed until closing time.

Leota was a Christian and made sure to take her children to church wherever she lived. She embraced simple joys including walks in her neighborhood, remaining in contact with lifelong friends, reading daily and later watching old sitcoms.

She lived a life defined by devotion and service to her students at Manor High and above all to her beloved family and lifelong friends. May her memory bring comfort to those who knew her and continue to inspire lives rooted in kindness, humility, and love.

Leota was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gene, all of her siblings and one son, Stephen.

A visitation will be held at the Gabriels Funeral chapel on January 17, 2026 at 9:00 a.m, followed by a memorial service at 10:00 a.m. This will be followed by a reception, location TBA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.