Mary Beth DrakeWinters, TX

Mary Beth was the fifth of seven children with Everett, Evelyn, James and Merriel preceding her and H.O. Jr. and Ilene following. She accepted Jesus into her life at an early age and was a steadfast student and teacher of the Bible and Jesus' teachings throughout her life. She attended primary and elementary school in Bradshaw and Drasco transferring to Winters for her high school years where she graduated in 1947.

She dated Lawrence Truett Smith in high school and then left to attend Texas Tech. After a year, she ended her college career to marry Truett on September 4, 1948 and begin their family. After the wedding, they moved to College Station where their first child, Stephen Lawrence, was born and Truett obtained his degree in agricultural education. Following graduation, the young family moved back to Winters where Truett farmed and the couple welcomed the Twins, Pamella & Phyllis, in December 1951 and Mike in 1953.

Raising a family and farming weren't the easiest of things in West Texas in the 1950's. Truett supplemented farming income (or lack thereof) by driving a truck and Mary Beth began working at the Winters State Bank (just a short while until times got better). That short time evolved into a career in the banking industry of over 50 years culminating in Mary Beth becoming an independent banking auditor for area banks. While the work was tedious and demanding, especially in the early years, Mary Beth's work ethic prevailed and she relished the friendships and relationships she developed there. She practically knew everyone in the area during those years and made it a point to greet them by name when seeing them about in the community. She always had a smile and warm greeting along with the introduction of her children in all these occasions.

The family survived the drought years and actually flourished during these and later years. Mary Beth worked at the bank all week and a half day on Saturday. Truett farmed and kept the kids busy with farm work and raising animals. We hardly ever missed Sunday school or Sunday & Wednesday Church services. Vacation Bible school was a respite from field work in the summers. The start of public school was always a time of celebration for us kids. Truett and Mary Beth saw to it that their kids had a firm grounding in the Church and teachings of Jesus Christ; instilled a love for learning and ultimately graduated all us kids with college degrees.

The Lord took Truett to Heaven on March 20, 1976 unexpectedly when his private plane crashed near Ballinger. Mary Beth's faith and work ethic got us through that difficult time. She continued her work at the bank and the Church and provided support for the kids as they made their own lives.

In 1984, Mary Beth married JP Drake of Winters. While us kids had become particularly protective of Mom at that time, we questioned JP of his true intentions with Mom... JP assured us that he had known Mom longer than any of us and that his intentions were honorable...they had been friends in school. JP was a wonderful husband to Mary Beth and step-father to us kids. JP and Mary Beth were a happy couple until his death on December 21, 2014. Mary Beth subsequently moved to Abilene, enjoying family and friends and continuing her life-long witness for Christ in the assisted living community.

Mary Beth was preceded in death by her parents, Horace and Pearlie Abbott, her brothers Everett and Merriel, her sister Evelyn, her husband Lawrence Truett Smith along with his parents, JD & Nadeen Smith, his sister and her husband, Fred & Truma Poe, and her husband JP Drake and his parents.

Mary Beth leaves behind her brothers James and H.O. Jr., sister Ilene Weaver, sons Stephen (Alice) and Mike, daughters, Pamella Miller (Hal), Phyllis Thompson (Mike), eight grandkids, 18 great grandkids and 2 great-great grandkids along with step-sons Terry (Mary), Tommy (Jodi), Larry (Debbie) and Edgar.

From that early age of accepting Jesus Christ into her life, Mary Beth has lived the life of a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Throughout all her years, she has covered her family and friends in prayer. She loved to read and teach the Bible. She taught adult Sunday school classes at the Winters Baptist Church for 50 years and continued to be active in Bible studies and Church services during her stay in assisted living. She was a remarkable woman whose life has been its own testament to the glory of God.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 30, 2026 at the First Baptist Church with burial following at Lakeview Cemetery.