Celia M. Drake, age 84, of Waverly, MO, died Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 12, at St. Luke’s United Church of Christ in Grand Pass, with Rev. Tim Rhodes officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.
Memorials are suggested to St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home and an online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com.
Born January 1, 1938, in Saline County, she was the daughter of the late Lorenz Utlaut and Frieda Ehlert Utlaut. Celia lived in the Grand Pass community for many years, was a 1955 graduate of Santa Fe High School in Grand Pass, earned her bachelor’s degree from Central Methodist College in 1959, and was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. On August 20, 1961, she married Garold Lawrence Drake who preceded her in death on August 5, 2000. Celia taught at schools in Vandalia, Freeman, Miami, and Waverly, retiring in 1991 from Santa Fe Elementary School after being an educator for 32 years. While living in Freeman she was a member of Freeman Presbyterian Church where she served as choir director and after returning to Grand Pass she returned to her home church, St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, where she also served as choir director.
Survivors include three sons: Gary Drake (Cristi) of rural Malta Bend, David Drake (Ellen) of Naperville, IL, and Steven Drake (Lori) of Thornton, CO; three foster daughters: Anne Kisner of Rockford, IL, Malinda Gunn (Tim) of Springfield, and Leah Tran of Salt Lake City, UT; 15 grandchildren: Jacob, Jessica, Isabelle, Caleb, Jordan, Sam, Tyler, Emily, Ryan, Jodie, Sarah, Emily, Lauren, Laura, Landon; three great-grandchildren: Jameson, Wrigley, and Sloane; one sister-in-law, Karen Drake of Brookfield; a special longtime friend, Carol Binder of Archie; as well as nieces, nephews, and other extended family.
Celia was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one sister, Rozella Nagy.
The family would like to extend a very special thank you to Donna Aversman who was a caregiver for Celia, as well as her friend.