Bernie Drake

Bernardine “Bernie” Williams Drake passed away suddenly on October 11 at the age of 64. For those of us blessed to have known, admire and respect this shining bright light throughout her life, she is celebrated by all as an upbeat, well grounded, fun and beautiful human. Intelligent, humble, always present and engaged, when you got to know Bernie you felt loved and a connected part of her family. She devoted her life toward helping others. That’s how she rolled. And even though you were one of countless people who shared this caring and love for her, she never failed to make you feel how important you are to her. And the focus was never about her; it was always about being there for others and doing for everyone else. She had hobbies: reading, enjoying wines from her wine room, spending time at the lake with her family, and owning/operating her businesses, but her true passion never wavered: it was always about taking care of her family.

Bernie is cherished and remembered by a huge, incredibly loving and welcoming family, starting with her devoted husband and business partner throughout life, Glenn F. Drake. Bernie and Glenn were married for 36 years and built the ultimate partnership together, creating and co-owning two highly successful businesses, Drake Realty and Bank Shot. She had an incredibly deep bond with her loving children, Allison Drake Bernstein and husband James Bernstein, Geoffrey F. Drake and Theodore J. (TJ) Drake. A proud and adoring grandmother, known as Sassy to Eli Bernstein and Emma Bernstein.

She is survived by her 11 Williams’ brothers/sisters, and 3 Drake/Pierce sister and brothers in law and their families, each of whom had their own special relationship with her: Helen (Dixie) Groutt and husband Mike, Margaret (Peggy) McBrayer and husband Tom, Gordon Williams III and wife Linda, James Williams, Thomas (Tom) Wiliams and wife Ann, Eugene Williams and wife Martha, Mary Gasparini and husband Michael, George Williams and wife Amy, Edward (Ed) Williams and wife Karen, Patricia (Patty) Teel and husband Greg, Joseph (Joe) Williams and wife Mary, Jill Pierce and husband Mike, Scott Drake and wife Denise, and Roger Drake and wife Joanne. More than 50 Williams and Drake family nieces and nephews who adored their Aunt Bernie, this angel on earth. She is predeceased by her parents, Gordon Alfred Williams Jr. and Bernardine Dugan “Duggie” Williams, and will be missed each and every day by all of us. This is ‘our' Bernie who gave so much to this world. She is forever remembered as the rock for our Williams and Drake families and will be greatly missed by each of us and her large extended family, friends and colleagues.

Monday 10/16 visitation/rosary from 6-8 pm in her honor will take place at HM Patterson Canton Hill, 1157 Old Canton Rd., Marietta, GA and church service on Tuesday 10/17 at 11 am at The Catholic Church of the Transfiguration, 1815 Blackwell Rd., Marietta, GA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bernie Drake Memorial Donor Advised Fund: BernieDrakeMemorialFund