George William Drake, son of the late Rosa Drake and James Dessesaure, was born on February 25th, 1946 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. George was the ninth child of twelve children, which included six boys and six girls. George was preceded in death by Frank, Jr., Frances, Robert, Eugene, Frederick, Marie, Trudy and Vivian.

George received his primary education at Saint Elizabeth Catholic School and finished his secondary education with the School District of Philadelphia. Next, he went into the United States Navy where he was honorably discharged in 1969.

George was employed by the Philadelphia Naval Base and Correction Officer for 29 years.

While residing in Philadelphia, George attended Grace Community Baptist Church. He switched to For Your Christ Ministries in 2006. Once in North Carolina, he joined his wife at Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2016.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his loving wife, Diana Drake; his children, Lisa, Lamont, Keith (Leslie), Rasheika (Anthony), Brandon, and Dominique; 31 grandchildren; and 12  great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind 3 siblings, Melva, Martina and Phillip; sisters-in-law, Dorothy, Pauline, Gwen and Cynthia; one brother-in-law, William; special cousin Jerry and Nietra Beauford; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 6:00pm Friday, July 2, 2021 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00noon Saturday, July 3, 2021 at St. James AME Church with Rev. Randolph Phillip Lynch officiating. Interment will be held at a later date in Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newton, PA. The family visitation will be held from 11:30am until 12noon on Saturday at the Church.