Mr. James Eli Drake

DRAKE, Mr. James Eli – Age 79, passed away Friday, November 29, 2013 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10:30a.m. Saturday, December 7, 2013 at Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, 930 E. Myrtle Ave., with funeral service at 11a.m. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30a.m. Saturday. Mr. Drake will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12p.m.-8p.m Friday, with the family present from 4p.m.-8p.m. Mr. Drake will only be viewed at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made In C/O James Eli Drake to the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Michigan Chapter, 25200 Telegraph Rd., Ste. 100, Southfield, MI 48033. James Eli Drake was born December 15, 1933 in DeKalb, MS, Kemper County, to John R. Donn and Vanilla Parks. He was preceded in death by both parents as well as brothers Willie Drake, Al Joe (Spare) Drake and Lamar Drake. He attended Little Rock High School in DeKalb, MS. He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior at an early age. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and served his country. Following his tour of duty, he settled in Flint, MI, where he met his wife Susie. They married in 1956. He was employed by Flint Chevrolet Truck and Bus for 35 years and was a member of UAW Local 598. He was a proud and faithful member of Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle where he served as the Chief of the Security Ministry until his health failed. He loved “piddling” outdoors, where his lawn and garden were his masterpieces. James loved spending time with his family—especially “them gals”. He enjoyed driving, often traveling across the country to visit his sister Essie in St. Louis, or relatives at family reunions, or his daughters in many places. James faithfully cared for his wife Susie as her health began to fail and was her rock until he became ill earlier this year. He can be best remembered for his calm demeanor, his humor, and telling everybody to "settle down". James leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 57 years, Susie K. Drake (Tolbert), three daughters, Carmen Katrina Drake of Flint, MI; Deirdre Candice Drake of Toronto, ON Canada; and Kendra Danielle Drake of Dallas, TX; Two grandchildren, Keiran Jaymes Drake of Dallas, TX and Kennedy Arie Drake of Flint, MI; sister, Essie Lee Marzette of Magnolia, TX; niece, Delinda Sue Stuckey (Marzette) of Magnolia, TX; very close cousins Syvira Anderson, Johnnie Mae Drake, Gloria Dean Kirkland, Ora Lee Germany, Heartha Drake and Dalmer Lee Drake—as well as others in the Slaughter, Nichols, Greer, Alexander and Hackney families; sisters in law Gladys Hill and Princella Jackson, Goddaughters Versie Roland and Reginda “Gale” Little, and their mom—his best friend Ola Clemons; his other “kids”--Michael Johnson, Gail Keith, Daphne Keith, La Tonya Keith and Pamela Lewis (Keith), and a host of other relatives and friends. James was also preceded in death by his dear Aunt and Uncle Johnnie and Gladys Anderson, who raised him, and his best friends, Verlie and Carrie Keith. The family would like to express special thanks to Ms. Texanner Burkette, who James lovingly referred to as “Ms. Dukette”, Pastor Carlos D. Williams, Johnetta Prosser, Derrick Coney, Bertha Moses, Denise Lewis, The Hurley Medical Center ER team, his physicians, the Dayton Street and Marianne Drive neighbors and the entire Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle family.

Mr. James Eli Drake

December 15, 1933 - November 29, 2013