Baxter O. Drake

Baxter Orlando Drake was born on December 12, 1943, in Nashville, Tennessee, to the late Alfred Earl Drake, Sr. and Florence Porter Drake, and peacefully departed this life on August 29, 2025.

Baxter received his early education in the Nashville Public School System and graduated from Meigs High School in 1961. As an active participant in his school community, he was a member of Student Council, the Dramatics Club, a Boys State delegate, a member of both the Boys Basketball and Track teams. Baxter's classmates named him "Best Dressed Boy" during his senior year of high school. He remained connected to his former classmates through his involvement in the Meigs Alumni Association, cherishing lifelong friendships.

Baxter furthered his education at Tennessee State University in Nashville earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation. There he was initiated into the brotherhood of the Zeta Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., fall semester of 1963.

In 1965, Baxter was inducted into the United States Army. His service to his country included a tour of duty in Germany. He was honorably discharged on May 2, 1967, having served faithfully and with distinction.

On August 26, 1972, Baxter married Rosa Marie Blathers. To this union two daughters, Shea Anita and Stephanie Ann, were born.

Baxter accepted Christ at an early age at Ramsey Street Church of Christ and in 1972 united with Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church, where he remained a devoted and active member for over five decades. He faithfully participated as an Usher, Trustee, in the Family Life Ministry, Love Kitchen, Children's Church, and the Carlyle Hall Sunday School Class. Baxter was always ready to lend a helping hand.

Professionally, Baxter began his career at Bordeaux Nursing Home, working in the Personnel Department from 1975 to 1978. He then joined Avco Aerostructures and remained there until his retirement in August 2003. His dedication and strong work ethic were evident throughout his career.

Having never met a stranger, his warm smile, friendly nature, and willingness to help others left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered. Affectionately known as "The Gum Man" at Fifteenth Avenue, his thoughtful tradition of greeting children with a piece of gum each Sunday came with a smile and words of wisdom. As one young man fondly recalled, it was "a bit of wisdom and a little bit of chewing gum."

Baxter leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 53 years, Rosa B. Drake; two daughters, Shea Anita Drake and Stephanie Ann Bradford (Antuian); two grandchildren, Myles Alexander and Madison Rose; sisters-in-law, Cynthia Davis of Houston, Texas, and Wilma Scruggs Drake; along with a host of other relatives and friends who will deeply miss him.

Baxter Orlando Drake's life was one of faith, service, and love—a legacy that will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.