Richard Nolan Drake

Memorial services for Richard Drake, 65, will be held Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011 at 3 p.m. at Central Avenue Christian Church in Humboldt, Tenn. Richard died at his residence on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011. There will also be a memorial service on Richard's 66th birthday, Monday, Feb. 14, 2011, in Russellville, Ark at 1 p.m. at the House of Praise. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Phoenix, Ariz. He was born in Borger, Texas, on Feb. 14, 1945, the son of the late Callan Sherwood Drake and Lavera Anita Crawford Drake. Richard was president of Spiritual Concept International, Provost and Founder of Phoenix University of Theology, Trustee for the Tell Foundation, Founder of Good Samaritan Center in Humboldt, Tenn. and Pastor of the Church of the First Born, also in Humboldt, Tenn. He had many young men and women that he mentored, especially Andrew Sailor, Randy Allen, Carlos Rodrequez, Brent Coffman, Mike Permenter, Joe Rott and Tonya King. Richard always believed he should minister to the Least, Last and Lowest. He always lived simply, so others could simply live. He is survived by his wife Karen Drake, of Humboldt, Tenn.; his daughter Kelly Shaddock and son in law Mark Shaddock of Hot Springs, Ark.; his son Drake Ashmore and daughter in love Lisa Diane James of Hot Springs, Ark.; his daughter in law Kelly Drake of Jacksonville, Ark. and his grandchildren Sarah Evelyn Ashmore, Cedar Ashmore, Cranberry Ashmore, Anna Drake and Joy Drake and one sister Shirley Cox, of Blair, Okla. He was preceded in death by a son Richard Christopher Drake. The family has requested in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be directed to Spiritual Concepts International, c/o Farmers – Merchant Bank, 388 Highway 45 By-Pass, Humboldt, Tenn. 38343.