Linda Drake

Linda J. Drake NEWSOMS - Linda Sue Jakeman Drake, 59, died Aug. 24, 2008, after an 8-year-long courageous battle with cancer. Linda was born in Franklin, a daughter of the late George A. and Mary Ann Baker Jakeman, and was retired from the banking and insurance businesses. She was a faithful member of Barnes United Methodist Church. Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 40 years, Rodger Ray Drake; two daughters, Gail D. Gagner and husband Chris of Nazareth, Pa., and Cheryl D. Turner and husband Scott of Newsoms; five grandchildren, Heath, Kevin and Jordan Gagner and Colby and Shelby Turner; one sister, Mary Jane Ranson and husband, Frank of Hampton; one brother, George A. Jakeman Jr. and wife Susie of Plymouth, N.C.; and her father and mother-in-law, R.E. Jr. and Hilda Drake of Newsoms. The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the chapel of Wright Funeral Home with the Rev. Darwin Edwards officiating. Interment will follow in Hollywood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today in the funeral home and suggests memorials be made to Barnes United Methodist Church, c/o Mrs. Betty Darden, 33701 Statesville Road, Newsoms, VA 23874 or The American Cancer Society, c/o Ms. Kathy Worrell, 717 Fairview Drive, Franklin, VA 23851. The family would like to thank all of Linda's doctors and nurses, the staff of Virginia Oncology, especially Dr. Thomas Alberico, Debbie Simmons, and Katie Caton, the medical staff of Sentara Leigh Hospital, second floor B wing, especially Dr. Alfonso Llano and Valerie LeGrone.