Charles Drake, Sr.

Charles Ray Drake, Sr., 65, of 719 Center Ave., died on Thursday, January 17, 2008 at the Hospice Home after several years of declining health. He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Dewitt Drake, Sr. and Bess Mann Drake; and a brother, Raymond Dewitt Drake, Jr. Charles is survived by his loving and caring wife of 45 years, Sue Thomas Drake of the home; a daughter, Dana Drake Slaughter and her husband, Bruce, of Burlington; three sons, Charles Ray Drake, Jr. and his wife, Ginger, of Greenville, NC, Thomas Kendall Ken Drake and his wife, Sherri of Farmville, NC and Matthew Todd Drake and his wife, Hope, of Burlington; seven loving grandchildren that he thought the world of, Drake Slaughter, Annistan and Jillian Drake, Ty and Peyton Drake, and Danielle and Sierra Drake; a brother, Bob Drake and his wife, Ann; and a sister, Nancy Hensley Drake, both of Burlington. Charles grew up working hard in the textile mills of Burlington, yet he discovered his passion of teaching and helping others later in life. He graduated from Sandhills Community College in 1989 and soon became a Respiratory Therapist, RRT working and helping people in various hospitals throughout North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. He was also a respected instructor at Robeson Community College, where his students dearly enjoyed his presence in the classroom. Another passion in Charles life were his beloved Boston terriers, Charlie and Gracie, both whom stood by him in his lifelong battle with Diabetes. A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 PM Saturday, January 19, 2008 at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Mike Mitchener. Interment will follow at McCray Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-8 Friday evening and other times at the home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Rd., Burlington, NC 27215. You may sign the online register book at www.lowefuneralhome.com