Thomas Millard Drake

Thomas Millard Drake, 84, passed away November 30, 2023. He was born in Greenville SC on July 27, 1939 to Allard Anderson Drake and Texie Vest Drake. He was married for 62 years to Esther Diane Southerlin Drake. They raised three children; Melissa Drake Coleman (Craig), Thomas Anderson Drake (Martha), and Laura Drake Brown (Steve). They are devoted grandparents to Joy Carter Colby (Sean), Emily Carter, Sloan Brown, Foster Brown, Anderson Drake (Carson), Millie Drake, and Anne Langford Drake. They are very proud great grandparents of Lucy, Rhodes and Charlie Colby.

He was predeceased by his parents, sister Judy Drake Wilson and brothers Terry Drake and Bill Drake.

Tom graduated from Travelers Rest High School. He received his BA degree and MA degree from Furman University. Tom retired after 30 years in education serving as an elementary school principal. He also worked as principal of the SC Governor’s School for the Arts Summer Program. After his retirement, he worked in the food brokerage business for 11 years. During this time, he served as Southeastern Regional Manager for Allied Bakers of New York.

Tom served as President of the Greenville County Elementary/Middle School Principals Association, President of the Travelers Rest Friends of the Library, and the Furman University Annual Giving Council. He served on the Board of Directors of the Travelers Rest Historical Society, the Board of First Presbyterian Academy, and the Springwood Cemetery Advisory Committee. He was a member of Saint Andrew’s Society of Upper South Carolina and a member of First Presbyterian Church in Greenville.

A service in celebration of Tom’s life will be held Wednesday December 6, 2023 at 11:00 am at First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Washington St. Greenville, SC. 29601. Visitation will be held in the Abbott Gathering Space prior to the service at 10:00 am.

Memorials may be made to the Healing Prayer Ministry at First Presbyterian Church or to the Spring Park Inn Fund c/o The Travelers Rest Historical Society, P.O. Box 412, Travelers Rest SC 29690.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mackeycenturydrive.com for the Drake family.