Raymond T. Drake, 66

Raymond T. Drake, 66, of Hendersonville passed away Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, at his home.

A native and lifelong resident of Henderson County, he was a son of the late Harley B. and Anna Nelson Drake. He was also preceded in death by four sisters, Juanita Inman, Barbara Nelon, Mary Lee Gordon and Brenda Louise Drake; and two brothers, Tommy and Gene Drake.

He was a 1966 graduate of East Henderson High School and was called to serve in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1967. He was the Assistant Director of the Hendersonville City Public Works Department, retiring after 30 years of service. He was an avid gardener who loved drag racing, old western and Elvis movies. He was of the Baptist Faith.

Mr. Drake is survived by his beloved wife of 42 ½ years, Brenda Ledbetter Drake; two daughters, Alicia Danyel Cummings of Flat Rock and Soncha Mahoney of Hendersonville; granddaughter, Kianna-Rae Cummings of Flat Rock; 5 brothers, Lewis Elmer Drake, Larry Drake, Gary Drake, Allen Drake, all of Hendersonville and Harold Drake of Penrose; two sisters, JoAnne Justice and Karen Fowler, both of Hendersonville and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, 2013, at Fairhaven Baptist church. Rev. Ansel Pace, Rev. Chris Norris and Mr. James Justice will officiate. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park with military honors rendered by Hubert M. Smith American Legion Post 77, Hedrick-Rhodes Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5206, and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 14. The family will receive friends from noon until 2 p.m. Friday at Fairhaven Baptist Church.

The family offers heartfelt thanks to the Henderson County Sheriff's Dept., EMS and Rescue Squad for their efforts.

Memorial contributions may be made to CarePartners Foundation, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.

To offer online condolences please visit www.shulerfuneralhome.com.