Homer Drake

Homer M. Drake, 94, of Mansfield, died Thursday, October 20, 2011 at Mansfield Memorial Homes. Born April 24, 1917 in Cullman, Alabama, he was the son of Johnnie and Iowa (Holmes) Drake. He was one of 12 children. He retired from Westinghouse and then went to work for Sprint moving vehicles to their different Sprint offices. He permanently retired at the age of 86.

Homer was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Amvets Post 26, Retmans Bowling League and was a long time member of Forest Hills and Possum Run Golf Courses. He loved golfing and when mom and dad couldn’t be found, we only had to look as far as the golf course. He also bowled with Retmans for many years. His special place to be was working in his yard as there was always room for one more flower bed. Any plant that was given to him was always planted. In his younger days, there was always a garden full of vegetables.

He is survived by his children, Evelyn Rogers, Roger (Paula) Drake, Sr., Diane Smith and Linda (Bob) Shaffer all of Mansfield; grandchildren, Mike (Connie) O’Leary, Shari (Joe) O’Leary Brown, William A. (Jenny) Drake, Roger Drake, Jr., Lori (Sam) Baker, Dawn (Ron) Caudill, Shannon Smith (Cory) Small, Bryan (Yvonne) Smith and Nicole Shaffer Maglott; great grandchildren, Candice O’Leary (Rob Lamb), Lindsay Brown (Sean Hall), Kyle Brown, Jake Drake, Madison Drake, Hunter Drake, Sam Baker, Jr., Caleb Baker, twins, Trevor and Trinity Baker, Dakota and Collin Caudill, Kaitlynn, Colton and Kendra Small and Trevor and Trenton Maglott; great great grandchildren, Ian O’Leary and Tristin Lamb; a sister, Imogene Lawrence of Cullman, Alabama; brothers, Atla (Neal) Drake, Talmadge (Virginia) Drake and Harold H. (Vernett) Drake all of Cullman, Alabama; and many, many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Leona (Thrush) Drake whom he married in 1939; brothers, Martin, Boyd and Verlon Drake; sisters, Tressie Moon, Eres Smith, Thursa Wilhite and Mozelle Wilhite; and grandchildren, Jacqueline Sue O’Leary and Jon Drake Rogers.

Friends may call from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, October 24, 2011 at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond Street, Mansfield. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at the funeral home conducted by his nephew, Rev. Carlos Wilhite. Burial will follow in Mansfield Cemetery.