Claude Drake, Jr. of Newsoms, Virginia Obituary Claude Drake, Jr. April 20, 1927 - March 27, 2017 U.S. Veteran Newsoms - Claude Drake, Jr., 89, passed away March 27, 2017 at his home. Claude proudly served his country as member of the United States Army during World War II, serving stateside as well as overseas. His passion was working on the family farm along with advocating for agriculture in the community and state. He was born in Newsoms and was the son of the late Claude Drake, Sr. and Lillie Mae Barnes Drake. He was also predeceased by his wife Alma Lee Joyner Drake, a grandson William Gould Drake, and a sister Catherine D. Winslow. Mr. Drake was a devoted member of Newsoms Baptist Church where he served in numerous capacities. He was a member of Newsoms Ruritan Club and the Southampton ASCS County Committee. He served as a director for The Virginia Crop Improvement Association, Southampton County Farm Bureau, Virginia Peanut Board, and the Virginia- Carolina Peanut Growers Co-op. Left to cherish his memory are two sons, Claude Dennis Drake and his wife Patty, Michael Gould Drake and his wife Rebecca, one daughter, Cindy Drake Richmond and her husband Joe, six grandchildren, Susan D. Bissonnette and her husband John, Amanda D. Hall and her husband Jeffrey, Wendy D. Burgess and her husband Adam, Westley B. Drake, Ryan J. Richmond, and Christopher D. Richmond, three great-grandchildren, Neva Grace Hall, Charlie Hall, and Madeline Bissonnette, one sister Louise D. Pixley, along with many nieces and nephews. The funeral will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 31, 2017 at Newsoms Baptist Church with the Rev. Armand Jalbert officiating. The interment will follow in Hollywood Cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8PM Thursday, March 30, 2017 at the Newsoms Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to Newsoms Baptist Church, P.O. Box 312, Newsoms, VA 23874. Published by www.wrightfuneralhome.org ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ## Narrative Summary of the Obituary Claude Drake, Jr., born 20 April 1927, passed away on 27 March 2017 at 89. A U.S. Army veteran of WWII, he was devoted to farming and community service in Newsoms, Virginia. He was predeceased by his wife, a grandson, and a sister. ## Narrative Summary of Funeral Services The funeral for Claude Drake, Jr. was held on 31 March 2017 at Newsoms Baptist Church. He was interred with military honors at Hollywood Cemetery. ## The Edited Obituary Claude Drake, Jr. of Newsoms, Virginia Obituary Claude Drake, Jr. 20 April 1927 - 27 March 2017 U.S. Veteran Newsoms - Claude Drake, Jr., 89, passed away 27 March 2017 at his home. Claude proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army during World War II, serving stateside as well as overseas. His passion was working on the family farm along with advocating for agriculture in the community and state. He was born in Newsoms and was the son of the late Claude Drake, Sr. and Lillie Mae Barnes Drake. He was also predeceased by his wife Alma Lee Joyner Drake, a grandson William Gould Drake, and a sister Catherine D. Winslow. Mr. Drake was a devoted member of Newsoms Baptist Church where he served in numerous capacities. He was a member of Newsoms Ruritan Club and the Southampton ASCS County Committee. He served as a director for The Virginia Crop Improvement Association, Southampton County Farm Bureau, Virginia Peanut Board, and the Virginia-Carolina Peanut Growers Co-op. Left to cherish his memory are two sons, Claude Dennis Drake and his wife Patty, Michael Gould Drake and his wife Rebecca, one daughter, Cindy Drake Richmond and her husband Joe, six grandchildren, Susan D. Bissonnette and her husband John, Amanda D. Hall and her husband Jeffrey, Wendy D. Burgess and her husband Adam, Westley B. Drake, Ryan J. Richmond, and Christopher D. Richmond, three great-grandchildren, Neva Grace Hall, Charlie Hall, and Madeline Bissonnette, one sister Louise D. Pixley, along with many nieces and nephews. The funeral will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Friday, 31 March 2017 at Newsoms Baptist Church with the Rev. Armand Jalbert officiating. The interment will follow in Hollywood Cemetery with military honors. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Thursday, 30 March 2017 at the Newsoms Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to Newsoms Baptist Church, P.O. Box 312, Newsoms, VA 23874. Published by www.wrightfuneralhome.org ## Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Claude Drake, Jr. | |---------|----------------------------------| | Age | 89 | | Birth | 20 April 1927; Newsoms, Virginia | | Death | 27 March 2017; Newsoms, Virginia | ## Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |-------------------------|------------------------|-------------------| | Claude Drake, Jr. | Decedent | Newsoms, Virginia | | Alma Lee Joyner Drake | Predeceased Spouse | -- | | Claude Drake, Sr. | Predeceased Parent | -- | | Lillie Mae Barnes Drake | Predeceased Parent | -- | | Claude Dennis Drake | Child | Unknown | | Michael Gould Drake | Child | Unknown | | Cindy Drake Richmond | Child | Unknown | | Susan D. Bissonnette | Grandchild | Unknown | | Amanda D. Hall | Grandchild | Unknown | | Wendy D. Burgess | Grandchild | Unknown | | Westley B. Drake | Grandchild | Unknown | | Ryan J. Richmond | Grandchild | Unknown | | Christopher D. Richmond | Grandchild | Unknown | | Louise D. Pixley | Sibling | Unknown | | William Gould Drake | Predeceased Grandchild | -- | | Catherine D. Winslow | Predeceased Sibling | -- | ## Other Relevant Information 1. Claude Drake, Jr. proudly served in the United States Army during World War II, both stateside and overseas. 2. He was passionate about working on the family farm and advocating for agriculture in the community and state. 3. Claude was a devoted member of Newsoms Baptist Church, serving in numerous capacities. 4. He was a member of the Newsoms Ruritan Club and the Southampton ASCS County Committee. 5. He served as a director for The Virginia Crop Improvement Association, Southampton County Farm Bureau, Virginia Peanut Board, and the Virginia-Carolina Peanut Growers Co-op.