Pastor Betty Marie Drake

Wednesday, October 16, 1935 - Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Faithful Servant

Photo of Pastor Betty Marie Drake - 1935-2021

Pastor Betty M. Drake went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday the 17th of February 2021.

She was born in the autumn season of October 16, 1935 in Buncombe County where she had resided all of her life and was preceded in death by her parents, Kirkwood and Helen Drake; sister, Peggy Craig; brother-in-law, Tommy Craig; and niece, Christy Craig.

She is survived by 4 nephews, Gary Craig (Linda), David Craig (Charlotte), Wayne Craig (Michelle), and Gregory Craig; one niece, LeAnne Meadows (Steve); and several great and great-great nephews and nieces, and many cousins.

Betty was the pastor and a member of Luther Pentecostal Holiness Church in Candler.  She faithfully served the Lord for more than 60 years. During this time, she pastored 2 different Churches in Cherokee, NC for almost 30 years.  For her dedicated service to the Cherokee community, she was made an honorary member of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians.  She also operated the Sheep Shed Ministry which helped families in need with both food and finances. Most importantly, Betty was a true Prayer Warrior. Her ministry was a foundational pillar to the community, and her Christian legacy will live on in all of us forever.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm Sunday, February 21, 2021 at Luther Pentecostal Holiness Church in Candler, NC.  The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. The Reverend Terry Green will be officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Candler.

Crawford / Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service is honored to be caring for Pastor Drake and the Craig family.

 

The livestream of Pastor Betty Drake is available by clicking or tapping here

 

 

 

Condolences from family and friends

Betty was our pastor and good friend.phil said Betty was his second mom.Betty came to the house and pray with Phil & I when came Phil came home.we will miss lot,and we love her.
Phil & Barbara Pressley Davis
posted Friday, February 19, 2021
Rest In Peace thy good and faithful servant. Your work will never be forgotten. You will be truly missed! Your memory will live on in the hearts of many.
Linda Dills
posted Friday, February 19, 2021
My Friend... My Mentor... My Pastor, I will certainly miss you.. But till we meet again... wait for me at the Eastern Gate..
Tracy Boone
posted Friday, February 19, 2021
Betty was a true child and servant of the Lord God Almighty. Had the opportunity to minister along beside her in many ol time Penecostal Worship Celebrations. She will be missed but Legacy will live on.
Pastor Ron Dodson
posted Friday, February 19, 2021
Betty was a sweet soul. I worked with her at Continental Teves twenty some year’s ago. I have no doubt where she is. Prayers for the family. Sincerely Pat Williams
Patricia Williams
posted Friday, February 19, 2021
Betty was my friend of 62 years. We met when she was a 23 year old pastor of the Luther Pentecostal Holliness Church and I was a 15 year old Church of God girl that God had called to preach. She became my mentor and I went every where with her and Mary Rogers. I went with her to Cherokee, I went to home prayer meetings with her, she used me to preach at Luther, I went to Conference with her. We became the best of friends. When I married a minister and left Asheville to preach in many states, we stayed in contact and she would conduct revivals for us. We might not see each other for a year or so but wen we got to see each other again, we just picked up where we left off. She was so good to my parents and they loved her very much. Her passing is bittersweet for me. I am so sad that I won't have her to talk to when thing get rough for me or I have a problem, yet I am so glad she isn't suffering anymore and has gone on to heaven where Oh My, what a reunion with our loved ones after she has met with the Father , Son and Holy Ghost. I loved Betty Drake as a sister and respected her as a great minister. She is just one more reason I have to go to Heaven for! Our relationship doesn't end here at her death, it lives on in my heart until the Lord returns or it is my time to go. She was always my biggest Champion outside of my earthly family. I will see you again sweet lady and my best friend.
Rev. Lois Whittemore Capps, M.Ed., LPC
posted Friday, February 19, 2021
I thank God for folks like Betty Drake, She loved the Lord and she wanted to share the gospel with everybody she met, Im thankful for our friendship we shared together, I know that we all will miss her, but we also know she is with the Lord, And that's what she lived her life for.
Pastor H wayne Riddle, Greeneville Tn.
posted Friday, February 19, 2021
It is hard to put into words just what this woman has meant to me over the years. She was a faithful servant to the Lord and a very dear friend to me. She never was too busy for anyone and always was there for me when I just needed a spiritual boost. I will never forget all the great sermons she instilled in my mind. She will never be forgotten and her legacy will always live on. Praying for the family and friends of this great servant of our God.
Cindy Brown
posted Friday, February 19, 2021
I certainly will miss Betty. She was always faithful to call and check on me. Billy and I attended a lot of her church meetings and always new that she was a true friend to us. Her ministry always was truly from her heart and in whom guided her in her everyday walk with her Lord and Savior. She was always ready to have church, feed people, and try to help those in need. She spent her life in service for her Lord. She is celebrating and rejoicing with all her family, friends, Billy, and most of all Jesus. Her message to all of us now would be to make Jesus the Lord and Savior of our lives and be ready for Heaven.
Wilma Taylor
posted Friday, February 19, 2021
When I first met Pastor Betty I knew what a special Lady and Servant of God she was. With her guidance and nurturing my love for God grew to a strong faith. I will always carry the memories of Betty in my heart. I Love you Betty like an older Sister.
Martha
posted Friday, February 19, 2021
When I first met Pastor Betty I knew what a special Lady and Servant of God she was. With her guidance and nurturing my love for God grew to a strong faith. I will always carry the memories of Betty in my heart. I Love you Betty like an older Sister.
Martha
posted Friday, February 19, 2021
Pastor Betty Drake was a tremendous warrior and wonderful woman of God. Our family has been blessed through her ministry over multiple generations. We are praying for her family and celebrating with her as she is walking in the promise she presented to countless people. We thank God we had the privilege of worshiping with her. With love and honor: Pastors Tim and Becky Dove Rev. Walter Dove Sr and all of our family.
Pastor Tim Dove
posted Friday, February 19, 2021
Pastor Betty, was a great friend an anointed season prayer warrior in my life. A fine woman of God who set an example of what it means to be holy, sanctified and set apart for the Lord's work. She opened the doors for many revivals for me. She was one of the many voices that stood up for me for moving into Pisgah View. She always had an encouraging word for me in the ministry. She had left a MARK in the community , Times of Refreshing Church and in my life that can never be erased. Gone but never forgotten!!
Rachel Floyd
posted Friday, February 19, 2021
Please know that I have all of Betty's family in my prayers. She has touched the lives of so many and been a blessing on this earth. She will be deeply missed.
Reverend Wade Caldwell
posted Friday, February 19, 2021
Betty was a sweet and wonderful lady! She was a good friend of the family and a truly good friend of my mom (Trudy Surrett). This world has truly loss a true servant of the lord, she was always there for anyone who needed her, She married my husband and I, we truly loved her! My thoughts and prayers go out to her family at this time of need! May god bless each of you!
Patricia Surrett Swilling
posted Friday, February 19, 2021
A shining new mansion goes up down the street,The whole city is excited to see Betty Drake,and God said welcome home.
Roy Banks
posted Friday, February 19, 2021
I have known Betty all my life! She was a prayer warrior and a servant of the Lord our God! I love her and I will miss her I send my prayers for the family❤️
Janette Banks
posted Friday, February 19, 2021
A shiny new mansion goes up down the street, a whole city is excited to see Betty Drake, and God said welcome home.
Roy Banks
posted Friday, February 19, 2021
Betty was a precious women of God and my Pastor. I loved her, she will be greatly missed
Janette Banks
posted Friday, February 19, 2021
Pastor Drake made an positive impact on countless lives in her community. She will be truly missed!
Trey Groce
posted Friday, February 19, 2021
Betty was our pastor here in Cherokee, N.C. I remember going to church with my grandmother as child and meeting Betty there, I thought of her often throughout the years. My condolences to her family and everyone that knew her, she touched a lot of lives, and she will be greatly missed.
Larissa Teesateskie
posted Friday, February 19, 2021