Mrs. Susie Kate Drake

DRAKE, Mrs. Susie Kate - Age 81, passed away Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Living Joy Assisted Living of Flushing, MI. Family hour 12:00 PM Saturday, April 29, 2017 at Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, 930 E. Myrtle Ave., with funeral service commencing at 1:00 PM, Rev. Dr. Herbert Miller II officiating. Interment at Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 12:00 PM Saturday. Mrs. Drake will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 2:00 PM-8:00 PM Friday, with family present to receive friends from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to: Alzheimer's Association, 1125 Linden Rd. Flint, MI 48532. Mrs. Susie Kate “Sue” Drake was born January 24, 1936 in Hurtsboro (Russell County), Alabama, daughter of the late Oscar and Lessie Tolbert. She departed this life on April 22nd, 2017. Susie graduated high school in Russell County. She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal savior at a very early age. After high school, she briefly resided with her father in Chicago, IL but subsequently moved to Flint, Michigan to reside with her sister, Gladys and seek work. Upon her arrival in Flint, she met James Drake, and they were married on April 18, 1956. Sue and James were blessed with three lovely daughters, Carmen, Deirdre and Kendra. She spent the majority of her adult life as a homemaker, caring for her husband and daughters. The only time Sue worked outside of the home was during a GM layoff where she worked to supplement family income. She was an impeccable housekeeper and prided herself on her culinary skills. Sue had a practical sense of humor, and enjoyed spending time with her family and close girlfriends as well as studying the Bible. She and her next-door neighbor, Susie (affectionately known as the other Susie) would barbecue every holiday together in the backyard and trade homemade rolls and sweets. Sue was known throughout the years as helping or cooking for many folks who would find their way into her home or caring for the shut-in and elderly. She was a proud and faithful member of Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle from the time she joined the church in 1958 until her health failed. During the time she was active, she was engaged in many church activities. Sue was a member of the Phebian Circle, where she formed many close personal friendships. For many years she served as Circle Captain. As her daughters came of age, she supported their youth activities, such as Youth Fellowship, Youth Mission and the Youth Choir (where she served for many years as Choir Supervisor). Rev. Dr. Arthur J. Pointer appointed Susie as the first female Trustee at the church. She served as a Sunday School Teacher, and was a youth favorite. Sue also taught Wednesday morning Bible Study for many years. In addition, she served on the church’s Kitchen Ministry. Mrs. Susie Kate “Sue” Drake leaves to cherish her memory: daughters, Carmen Katrina Drake of Flint, Deirdre Candice Drake of Chicago, IL, and Kendra Danielle Drake; 2 grandchildren, Keiran Jaymes Drake of Dallas, TX and Kennedy Arie Drake of Flint; sister, Princella Jackson; nephews, Aaron “Pete” Rias, both of Detroit, MI Orlando Rias of Flint and niece Mattie Rias, of Detroit, MI; very special sister-in-law, Essie Lee Marzette; niece, Delinda Sue Marzette (Cortez) Stuckey, both of Magnolia, TX; special-niece, Veronica “Bouncy” Nickens of Flint; great-nieces, Audricka Jacob of Blissfield, MI and Crystal Sparks of Flint; god-daughters, Versie Roland and Reginda “Gale” Little and their mother, Ola Clemons, all of Flint; her other “kids”, Michael Johnson, Gail Keith, Daphne Keith, LaTonya Keith and Pamela (Keith) Lewis. Susie also had special close friendships with a number of women that are also left to cherish her memory, Carlean Austin, MI; Clara Brown and Katherine Tipton, all of Flint. Mrs. Drake was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, James Eli Drake; parents, Oscar and Lessie Tolbert; sister, Gladys Hill; nephew, Charles “Gus” Talbert; and best friends, Verlie and Carrie Keith. The family would like to express special thanks to Pastor Dr. Herbert Miller II, deacons, William Chatman and Kenneth Wright; Monique Burley, Brenda Chapman, Patricia Stocker, Derrick Coney, the entire staff of Living Joy Memory Care of Flushing, MI; and the Heart to Heart Hospice Care team. The family would also like to acknowledge individuals who displayed kind gestures to our mother once her health failed, Jerome and Tonedia Threlkeld, Hattie Thompson, Pastor and Mrs. Ron and Naomi Scott, Father Gene Geromel and the St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church Family, the members of the Phebian Circle and the entire Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle Family. “May The Work I’ve Done Speak For Me”

Mrs. Susie Kate Drake

January 24, 1936 - April 22, 2017