Johnnie Drake Obituary, Johnnie Drake Has Sadly Passed Away

Johnnie Drake Obituary, Death – Johnnie Lee Drake of Marion. On September 7, 1966, I was born to John L. Drake, Sr. and Mary L. (Bush) Drake-Reaves in Marion, Indiana. Johnnie was a big baseball (Hawks) and hoops fan in his younger years. Despite his love of athletics, it was his ability to dance with pride that he valued most (Rude Boyz).

Johnnie was crowned homecoming king as a student at Marion High School, where he graduated in 1985. In short order thereafter, he enlisted in the American armed forces. In 1986, Johnnie made another pivotal choice when he decided to leave Army Services and join the United States Navy. Ronnie Drake, his younger brother, joined the Navy with him under the Buddy program, and the two of them served together on the USS Constellation out of San Diego, California.

In a short amount of time, Johnnie had established himself apart from his contemporaries. On a ship with a crew of 5,000, he was singled out as “Sailor of the Year.” Johnnie was baptized as a young child and eventually joined the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. Mary L. Drake-Reaves, his mother, had already passed away.

On Saturday, February 18, 2023, from 10:00 AM until 12:00 NOON, friends and family are welcome to pay their respects at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 1204 W. 14th St., Marion, IN. A memorial service honoring Johnnie’s life will begin at 12 p.m., following the visitation. Graveside services will be held at Grant Memorial Park.