JOSEPH WALLACE DRAKE, SR.

Joseph Wallace Drake, Sr., age 90, of Donalsonville, GA passed away Monday evening, August 29, 2016 at his residence. Funeral services for Mr. Drake will be held on Friday, September 2, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Friendship United Methodist Church in Donalsonville, GA with Rev. Garth Duke-Barton officiating. Interment will follow in Friendship Cemetery with Joseph Wallace Drake, III, Wesley Drake, Pierce Drake, Ben Drake, Davis Drake, Nathan Drake, Stephen Drake, and James Drake serving as active casketbearers and Gene Drake, Jimmy Drake, Jack Owens and the Men's Bible Class serving as honorary casketbearers. Visitation will be held on Thursday evening, September 1, 2016 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Evans-Skipper Funeral Home. Mr. Drake was born in Donalsonville, GA on November 9, 1925 to John Lee Drake, Sr. and Nellie Kathleen Saunders Drake. He served his country in the United States Army, was a graduate of the University of Georgia and a farm equipment business owner. He was a member of Friendship United Methodist Church, the Masons, the Donalsonville Lions Club, Men's Bible Class, Friendship United Methodist Church Choir, the Methodist Men, former member of Donalsonville City Council, former Mayor Pro tem, and was instrumental in developing the first county baseball park. He was also a land developer, real estate broker and he didn't have an enemy in the world. Mr. Drake was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 66 years, Joanne Elise Pierce Drake of Donalsonville , GA; his sons, Joseph Wallace Drake, II (Joe) and his wife Kim of Dothan, AL, John Pierce Drake (John) and his wife Cyndee of Soperton, GA, and Gregory Alan Drake (Greg) and his wife Gail of Albany, GA; and a sister-in-law, Mildred Ashley Drake of Donalsonville, GA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Allison Benton and her husband Jeremy, Joseph Wallace Drake, III and his wife Allison, Wesley Drake and his wife Leah, Pierce Drake and his wife Claire, Ben Drake and his wife Rebecca, Davis Drake, Joanna Drake, Nathan Drake, Katie Drake, Holly Drake, Stephen Drake and James Drake; and his great grandchildren, Audrey Benton, Benjamin Drake, Eliza Drake, Wynton Drake, Ansley Benton, Piper Drake, and Emmy Drake. Mr. Drake was preceded in death by his parents, John Lee Drake, Sr. and Nellie Kathleen Saunders Drake; two brothers, John Lee Drake, Jr., and Billy Gene Drake; and a sister, Doris Drake Owen.