Funeral Service Held for Raymond Ezra “Tot” Drake at Newsoms United Methodist Church

Raymond Ezra “Tot” Drake, 84, passed away October 15, 2026, in his home in Southampton County, Virginia, with his family by his side. He was the son of the late Ray Elvin Drake and Lorena Bryant Drake. A lifelong resident of the area, Drake graduated from Southampton High School and attended Old Dominion University. He served in the National Guard and had a long career as a paper maker on #3 paper machine at Union Camp, where he worked for 40 years. Drake also raised Perdue chickens, farmed, and owned Drake Sausage. He was recognized for his dedication to donating blood to the American Red Cross.

Drake found joy in the natural world, particularly in watching things grow. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and gardener. His spiritual life was deeply rooted in the Newsoms United Methodist Church, where he was a Sunday school teacher. The church has been a significant part of his life, reflecting his commitment to community and faith.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 62 years, Mildred Buckner Drake; their children, Mindy Drake Crowder and her husband Matt, and Raymond Neil Drake and his wife Linda; his sister, Patricia Drake Johnson; three grandchildren, Grayson Drake Hasty and her husband Dillon, Emma Christine Drake and her fiancé Hunter Stokely, and Jordan Bryce Crowder; and two great-grandchildren, Collins and Graham Hasty. His family was his greatest source of pride.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at Newsoms United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Michael Baugham. Burial will follow in Hollywood Cemetery. The family suggests memorial donations be made to Newsoms United Methodist Church.

The life of Raymond Ezra “Tot” Drake exemplifies the values of community, faith, and family. His contributions to his church and local community reflect a commitment to service and stewardship, aligning with the Methodist emphasis on caring for others and living out one’s faith in daily life. As Micah 6:8 reminds us, to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God, Drake’s life embodied these principles through his actions and relationships.

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