Virginia Diane Drake

Virginia “Diane” Drake was born in Tulsa to her parents Dudley and Vayden Hoey. Diane and her younger brother David later moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma with their parents for the remainder of their childhood. As a young girl, Diane enjoyed playing the piano and had an eye for painting. In 1950, Diane graduated from Muskogee High School. Diane then traveled to Columbia, Missouri to attend and graduate from Stephens College.

On November 27th, 1954, Phillip Charles Drake and Virginia “Diane” Hoey joined hands in holy matrimony at a ceremony in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Phillip had joined the Officer Corps of the United States Air Force May 26th, 1954. The young Air Force couple then travelled to Waco, Texas; Stephenville, Newfoundland, Canada; Las Vegas, Nevada, and settled in Abilene, Texas near Dyess Air Force Base (AFB) in 1968. During their time as an Air Force couple, they enjoyed the companionship of their military friends and were known to have parties at their home filled with laughter and antics.

In fact the Air Force Thunderbird pilots frequented a few parties during their stop overs at Dyess AFB. Philip and Diane were blessed with three fabulous sons, Mark David Drake in 1955, Phillip Christopher Drake in 1960, and Stephen Matthew Drake in 1965. They were also blessed with many grandchildren: Alfredo Jose Palma, Jesus Omar Contreras, Luis Eduardo Contreras, Phillip Eugene Drake, Ciesea Creekmur Kidd, Danielle Allyssa Drake, and Emma Jane Drake.

Diane was an amazing home maker and was known to her family and friends as a fabulous cook. She prided herself with her amazing homemade breads, buttermilk pancakes, fondue dinners, fried chicken, pecan pie, and birthday cakes for her son’s. She also worked outside the home and owned her own business “Poodles and Pals” in Abilene, Texas. She worked at USPA and IRA as an office manager. During her work with the Abilene Fine Arts Museum, Diane assisted with administrative duties.

The Drake’s were all members of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Abilene, Texas.

Philip & Diane moved to Floresville, Texas in 1983 and joined the Floresville Methodist Church community. Diane was an exceptional bridge player and achieved the rank of “life master” as an active member of the American Bridge Association. Diane made a beautiful home and took her gift for painting to hand paint numerous plates and ceramics that adorned their home.

In April 1999, Philip and Diane enjoyed a cruise to Alaska prior to Philip’s passing in July of 1999. Diane later joined several travel groups and ventured to China and Ireland. She also made a trip to Venezuela with her son Mark and daughter-in-law Mamella to visit Mamella’s family. Later in life, Diane joined the Red Hat Club as a member of the Morning side senior community in San Antonio, Texas.

Philip and Diane’s home was always filled with four legged family members. Treasured family member included their German Shepard “Silver”, Irish Setter “Princess”, Cocker Spaniels “Beau” and “Lacy”, “Tiger” the cat, and her blue point Siamese cat, “Tora”.

She is survived by brother David and sister-in-law Sue Hoey; son Mark and daughter-in-law Mamella Drake; son Chris and daughter-in-law Peggy Drake; son Stephen and daughter-in-law Michele Drake; and grandchildren Alfredo Jose Palma, Jesus Omar Contreras, Luis Eduardo Contreras, Phillip Eugene Drake, Ciesea Creekmur Kidd, Danielle Allyssa Drake, and Emma Jane Drake. Diane joined our Lord when she passed away peacefully the morning of August 31st, 2014.

Diane will be laid to rest in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas next to her husband, Major Phillip Charles Drake.