Donnia Drake

Memorial service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 8, 2005 at the Browne's Mortuary, 441 N. Jefferson Ave. Rev. Columbus Clayton will officiate. There will be no visitation. Beloved wife, daughter, mother and grandmother entered into heaven?s gates Saturday, July 2, 2005. Donnia Kate Drake (Donna Kay), was born December 20, 1944 in Lafayette, Alabama, the daughter of Jimmy and Claudia Mae (Allen) Mackey. Donnia moved to Saginaw with her parents in 1951. She attended Central Junior High School, Saginaw High School and graduated at the top of her class in 1972 from St. Joseph High School. Sister Drake, along with her parents, helped form several churches here in Saginaw: New Mt. Calvary (Rev. Joe Moore and Rev. M.T. Thomas), Bethlehem Baptist (Rev. E. W. Bothuel), Friendship Baptist (Rev. Evans) and Rose Hill Baptist (Rev. Washington). Later, she became an active member of Galilee Baptist Church where she was over the Youth Department, Young Adult Choir, Mass Choir Director and the director of the Men?s Chorus. Sister Drake had a very kind and giving heart. She opened her arms and doors to many and she was loved. She leaves to cherish her loving memory, her loving husband of 35 years, Charles L. Drake of Bridgeport, Michigan; mother, Claudia Mae (Allen) Mackey of Saginaw, Michigan; nine children: three biological children, Larry Demetrius Steward of Saginaw, Michigan, Phyllisa (Lisa Steward) Coleman of Akron, Ohio, Scherry D. (Scherrie) Steward of Saginaw, Michigan and six adopted children, Devin and Gabria Drake of Bridgeport, Michigan, Shonda, Diane and LaWanda Drake, all of Saginaw, Michigan and Evelyn Williams of Bremerton, Washington. Donnia was a loving mother to several foster children: Ricky Tyler, Bernard Lawson, Charlotte and Delana Hilliard, Joseph Berrien, Sussie and Torie Jones, all of Saginaw, Michigan and many, many more. She was blessed with 40 grandchildren, including Sharonda and Dominique Steward of Saginaw, Michigan, Demetrius and Darius Steward of Tucson, Arizona, Marcellus, Ausja and Regine Coleman of Akron, Ohio, Dhavorin and DeTrayel Steward of Saginaw, Michigan, Kadeja and Jessica Drake, Trayvion and Marquis Hilliard, Daymon Williams, Jr., Brandi, Leanard and La Nia MuShatt, Joseph Berrien, Jr., Shabreana and Alazae Hood, Trayon, Asia, Marquise, Darquise Drake, Manzel Reed, Tayvion Logan, all of Saginaw, Michigan and many, many more. She leaves and will be greatly missed by her god-sister, Janet (Robert) Knapp of Shields, Michigan; her dear friend, Floyd Wilson of Bridgeport, Michigan; godsons, Rodney Howard of Saginaw, Michigan and Mitchell McMurren of Detroit, Michigan; goddaughter, Marilyn Reeves of Saginaw, Michigan and many other relatives and friends. Donnia was preceded in death by her father, Jimmy Mackey; grandparents, Walter and Clara Allen of Chattanooga, Tennessee and a grandson, Clayvon Drake.

Donnia Drake

December 20, 1940 - July 2, 2005