Paul Oliver Drake, age 81, of Reform, AL died July 26, 2019 at his residence. Funeral services will be 11:00 am Monday, July 29, 2019 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Glen Kennedy and Rev. Larry Shelton officiating. Burial will follow in Graham Memorial Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation will be one hour prior and immediately following the service at the funeral home.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Mary Ann Collins Drake; three daughters, Kim Forstner (Andrew), Cheri Pate (Mike) and Alison Shepherd (Jerome), all of Reform, AL; one son, Ken Drake (Barbara) of Northport, AL; nine grandchildren, Rebekah Findley, Taylor Drake, Kristen Stone, Kaitlin Farmer, Scotty Cunningham, Jason Pate, Jeremy Pate, Jared Shepherd and Carson Shepherd; six great-grandchildren, Avery Findley, Jacob Dobbs, Bailey Kate Stone, Brayden Stone, Libby Pate and Luke Pate and his Beloved Pet, Dora. Paul was born September 20, 1937 in Liberty, Alabama to the late John T. Drake and Minta Mae Ball Drake. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church and a veteran of the U. S. Army. Paul retired as a civilian employee of the U. S Army.
Pallbearers will be Taylor Drake, Jason Pate, Jeremy Pate, Jared Shepherd, Carson Shepherd and Stephen Findley.
Honorary Pallbearers are Dr. Robert Neil Honea, doctors and nurses at DCH - ICU and the staff of Amedisys Hospice.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.