Nila Gay Drake

Nila (Kelley) Drake, 87, of Belton, Texas passed away November 5, 2019 in Belton.

Funeral services for Nila will be held on Friday, November 8th, at 2:00 PM at Dossman Funeral Home in Belton, Texas with Reverend Randy Holtzclaw officiating.  Visitation will from 1-2 PM prior to the service.  Burial will be at McDowell Cemetery.

Mrs. Drake was born December 14, 1931 in Brownwood, Texas to William Edward Kelley and Alpha Clarada (Freeze) Kelley.  Nila was the youngest of six brothers and sisters, all deceased. She married Lloyd Wayne Drake of Belton, the love of her life, on May 29, 1948.  Nila enjoyed her life as a wife, homemaker, and mother. Nila was so very talented. She was a seamstress for the public in her early years of marriage, and an accomplished pianist, guitarist, and vocalist for the church.  She was part of a special trio that sang and was asked to visit various churches and provide special music.

Nila worked at Woolco Dept. Store for numerous years, and later at Britt Drug Store in Belton. Later in life, she spent her time creating each of her children and friends numerous quilts and fashion jewelry. She was always a very busy and a creative person.

Lloyd Wayne Drake, her husband, preceded her in death on November 27, 2010 after 62 years of marriage. They had 3 children: Gaylyn Baird of Belton, Claudia Graf of

Richardson, and Jeff Drake of Belton. Together, they enjoyed their 5 grandchildren:  Kelli Whiteside of Belton, Cody Graf of Richardson, and Aaron, Garrett and Paula Drake of California, 3 great-granddaughters: Peyton Stanley, Kirsten and Bailey Whiteside and lastly, a great-great grandson, Brock Norman.

They lived a rich, full and happy life together where they enjoyed their family and camping in so many states and seeing so many sites.

She is gone, and she will be missed by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but they all know she is going to a place where God will keep her happy and busy.

“Behind all your stories is always your mother’s story.  Because hers is where yours begin.”