Carmen Elizabeth Drake was born January 9, 1919, in Hollis, Oklahoma. Carmen grew up on a farm in the West Texas town of Roaring Springs. Her father, Elgin Dobkins, owned a cotton gin. She said she liked the tiny town of Roaring Springs and the people, but it was just a little too small for her...
Carmen Dobkins Drake was always adventurous. She and her older sister, Joyce Dobkins loved to travel. Before college Carmen and Joyce traveled extensively throughout Mexico, Cuba and Central America. They loved Mexico City and decided to rent an apartment there, for a year, as this would be a convenient central home base for their travels.
While living in Mexico they traveled throughout Mexico and Central America. One of Carmen's favorite places was Oaxaca. It was in Oaxaca that she fell in love with the beautiful hand weaving that would eventually play a significant role years later in her business. Cuba was another favorite. Carmen loved telling the story of how she and her sister "hitched" a ride from Cuba back to Mexico on a plane loaded with bananas. The only place to sit was on the bananas.
A few years later Carmen enrolled at Texas Tech College in Lubbock Texas. It was there while driving to a football game she and a girlfriend picked up two young men hitchhiking to the game. Well, they never made it to the game. They went dancing instead! Soon after, Carmen and that nice young man, Charles Drake, were married.
During Carmen's College days her sister Joyce traveled alone to Guatemala. Because of her extensive travels with Carmen in Mexico and Central America and their love of the native culture and textiles, Joyce decided to start a weaving business in Guatemala. It wasn't long after that Carmen, her husband Charles and their baby son James moved to Guatemala to join Joyce in the business they named Mayatex (for Mayan textiles). Joyce and Carmen became very knowledgeable of Mayan culture and textiles. Their first major success was the famous handwoven Guatemalan skirt, which was sold at Neiman Marcus and later in stores throughout the United States. The dyeing and weaving techniques they developed in their factory are still being used today in Guatemalan weavings.
In 1959 Joyce and Carmen moved their business, Mayatex, to El Paso, Texas, where they began a "Cottage Industry" weaving saddle blankets in Juarez, Mexico. During the years Carmen and Joyce developed innovative design and weaving techniques that set the standard for woven saddle blankets, tapestries and floor coverings. The business that was started by these two adventurous women continues to thrive today and is held in high regard within the equine industry.
Carmen actively worked in the business until she was in her 80’s. But retirement did not slow her down. She continued to travel extensively throughout the world meeting people and of course dancing at any opportunity. Through her travels her favorite was "her" Guatemala.
“Mimi” as she was called in later years by her family and friends, was a wonderful, kind, caring woman; a friend to all and most of all a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a delight to be with and her sense of humor kept us laughing throughout her life. Her joy, love of life and beautiful smile will always be in our hearts. We sure are going to miss her but know she is in God’s loving arms and of course dancing her way through heaven.
Mimi is survived by her son James Drake and his wife Colleen. Daughter Pi Crowley and husband John Polidore. Granddaughter Elizabeth Drake Bernberg and husband Troy Bernberg. Grandson John Crowley and wife Greer Kennedy Crowley. Great grandchildren Eliana Bernberg and Van Bernberg.
Family members Johnny Polidore, Michael Polidore, Charlene and husband Tony Van Boekhout and their families. Family members Elaine Tatum, Katherine Palafox, William Gunter, and their families. Cousins Cliva Griffin. James Hossley, David and Andy Stockton and their families.
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