James Drake

Canton – James Pinkney Drake, 91, passed away on Monday, January 6, 2020 at Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals.

A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, he was a son of the late Newton Kia and Berta Searcy Drake.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Marvin and Clinton Drake; and five sisters, Kathyrn Clark, Ruby Presley, Elsie Trantham, Pauline Holcombe and Opal Roser.  James was the last of his siblings to pass away.  He worked at Midway Bowling Lanes and was of the Christian faith.

James is survived by his wife of 42 years, Marlene Sellers Drake.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2020 in the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with the Reverend Mark Caldwell officiating.  Burial will follow at Crawford/Ray Memorial Gardens.  The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 3:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Asheville Chapter, 31 College Place, Suite D103, Asheville, NC  28801.

The care of Mr. Drake has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com