The family of Helen Ryan Drake is saddened by her passing on Saturday the 3rd of August, 2019 at Baylor Medical Center in Plano, Texas. Helen had been suffering from several health issues the last six months and was not able to overcome this last battle. Helen was born on April 28, 1928 in El Paso, Texas. She was a proud graduate of The University of Texas at Austin and taught third and fourth grade for over thirty years in Fabens Independent School District in Fabens, Texas.
Her priority in life was always her family but The University of Texas Longhorns and The Dallas Cowboys were a close second and third. She also loved watching Lee Trevino and Tiger Woods.
After the death of husband Earl, she and son Ben moved to Coppell, Texas to be near her family. During that time she attended numerous sporting events, dance and choir recitals, and birthday parties; both locally and out of town. Helen made many friends at the Coppell YMCA as member of the Silver Sneakers.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years Earl Garvin Drake, Jr.; her parents Joe and Mary Ryan, her brother James Ryan and sister Mary King. She will be greatly missed by her three children; John & wife Cindy Drake of Dallas, Ben Drake of DeSoto, and Ginger Lovelady of Coppell. She also leaves behind grandson Matthew Drake and wife Megan, great grandson and granddaughter Mason and Merritt; granddaughter Emily Base and husband Eric, great grandson and granddaughter Ryan and Taylor, granddaughter Jenna Walsh and husband Matt; granddaughter Avery Platt and husband Kevin; and grandson Drake Lovelady.
A joyous celebration of her life will be held on Monday the 12th of August 2019 at 2PM in the chapel at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship located at 4141 International Parkway, Carrollton, TX. A reception is to be held afterward on the Bent Tree campus with surprise treats to be served!
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in her name to the Family Scholarship Fund for Joni & Friends Summer Camp for special need families at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship. Please make the check payable to "Joni & Friends/ Texas" and place "Bent Tree Families" on the memo line. Donations may be mailed to 4141 International Parkway, Carrollton, TX 75007 and in care of Carol Slater, or online at Bent Tree Families Account: benttree.org/jonifriends-retreat-support.
