Sammy Joe Drake, 81, of the Stewart Community, passed away on Wednesday afternoon, September 1, 2021, at his home. He was born on March 8, 1940, in East Mountain, Upshur County, Texas to the late Henry Samuel and Mary Ellen Ferguson Drake. He attended East Mountain School. Sammy married Ada Darlene Murray on Oct. 24, 1959, in Gregg County and she preceded him in death on May 19, 2008. He worked as a heavy equipment operator until his retirement. Mr. Drake lived his lifetime in the Stewart Community and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was also preceded in death by brothers, Bobby and Jackie Drake and sisters, Faye Wellborn, Sandra Kay Drake, and Nancy Drake.

He is survived by his children, Stanley Joe Drake, Henry Murray Drake, Stacy James Drake, Douglas Dean Drake, and Debra Darlene Jones and husband Cody; sisters, Norma Sneden and Shirley Shank; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, at Stewart Cemetery with Michael Cary officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home.

Pallbearers are Stacy Drake, Douglas Drake, Cody Jones, Devon Drake, Clayton Painter, and Lance Drake. Honorary pallbearers are Stanley Joe Drake, and Henry Murray Drake.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Heart to Heart Hospice and all of Mr. Drake's caregivers.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.