Rita S. Drake

06/18/2006

Rita S. Drake, 87, of Meadow Street died yesterday at her home. Born in Stockbridge on June 19, 1918, daughter of Mark and Harrier Schilling Drumm, she was a 1935 graduate of Williams High School, where she was president of her sophomore class, in the Glee Club, editor of the school newspaper and also typed part-time for local merchants. She was a former member of the Stockbridge Congregational Church, where she taught Sunday School and was involved in the activities of the church. In 1952, she moved to Lee, where she and her husband operated Drake's Auto Parts on Meadow Street, a business that her family still operates. In 1961, she joined the First Congregational Church in Lee and, in 1997, was named deacon emeritus. She also helped conduct monthly services at the local nursing home. Her husband, Edwin O. Drake Sr., whom she married July 28, 1940, died April 9, 1995. She leaves two sons, Gerald E. Drake of Otto, N.C., and Edwin O. Drake Jr. of Gainesville, Fla.; five daughters, Marilyn R. Fennelly of Otis, Judith D. Morehouse of Tyringham, Marjorie E. Farnham of Cherry Valley, N.Y., Shirley M. Sparks of Stockbridge and Eleanor A. Munson of Sandisfield; 17 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral for Rita Drake, who died Sunday, June 18, 2006, will be held Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in Lee, with the Rev. Bert W. Marshall, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Fairmount Cemetery. Visiting hours at KELLY FUNERAL HOME will be Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, friends who wish may make donation to HospiceCare in the Berkshire in care of the funeral home, 3 Main St., Lee, MA 01230. She also leaves her sons-in-law, Willis, Rainsford, Charles, William and George, and her daughter-in-law, Donna and Mary Jane. She was predeceased by her twin brother, Raymond, and her two sisters, Erma and Gladys.

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