Dr. Charles W. Drake

The Reverend Charles W. Drake of Alpharetta, GA, died on February 10, 2014. Born a native of Coweta County in Senoia, GA on August 21, 1914, he is survived by his children, Charles Michael Drake of Louisville KY, Brenda and Ray Kiser of Norcross, GA, and Debbie Drake of Alpharetta, GA. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Cathy Hillyard, Lee Anne Meyer, Amy Abbott, Lindy Kennedy, Kim Kiser Jaeger, Chris Kiser, Jenna Kiser Thurmond, Sarah Jones, Charlie Jones, and 14 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Evelyn McClendon, Dorothy Forrester, and Janie Miller. Rev. Drake is predeceased by his loving wife, Bessie Michael Drake, brother Roger Drake, and sister, Sue Hickey. Charles graduated from Star High School in Coweta County in 1932 and worked in five and dime stores for four years. He entered Mercer University in Macon, GA, in 1936. While at Mercer, he taught the inmates at Bibb County Jail and led many of them to faith in Christ. He was honored to serve five churches while a student at Mercer. After graduation from Mercer, Charles taught math at Powder Springs High School and coached basketball. During his first year as a teacher, Charles was called as Pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Marietta, GA. During his pastorate, he met and married his wife, Bessie Margaret Michael, and to their union Charles Michael was born. After a three-year pastorate in Marietta, Charles felt the need for further training, so with his wife and little son, he enrolled and earned a Masters in Theology from Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, KY. Rev. Drake was privileged to serve Hopewell Baptist Church in Harrodsburg, KY during this time and also sold cemetery lots for additional income. Upon graduation from Southern Baptist Seminary, Charles was called to the First Baptist Church in Smyrna, GA. Before his family could move to accept this position, a blessed event occurred – daughter Brenda was born. After some wonderful years in Smyrna, God called the Drake family to Beallwood Baptist Church in Columbus, GA. God richly blessed them in the building of a beautiful worship center and the birth of their daughter, Debbie. The family was then called to Calvary Baptist Church in Gadsden, AL where another beautiful sanctuary was built. Rev. Drake also pastored Ridgedale Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN, Central Baptist Church in Gainesville, GA, and First Baptist Church in Lithonia, GA, where he retired, but not before he earned his Doctorate in Theology from Luther Rice Seminary. He then served Crabapple Baptist Church in Alpharetta, GA, where he retired for the second time! Dr. Drake’s second retirement was short-lived because he then served 20 churches as interim pastor and served as a hospital chaplain at North Fulton Hospital. His greatest joy was leading people to faith in Christ. His greatest love was for his Lord, his church, and his wife and family. To God be the glory – He has used the “least of these”.

Dr. Charles W. Drake

August 21, 1914 - February 10, 2014