Henry Earl Drake, Sr.

Henry E. Drake, Sr. passed away on October 21, 2020.

Henry Earl Drake Sr. was born October 24, 1972 to Earl Henry Drake & Birdie Mae (Bradley) Drake, in Des Moines, IA. Earl and Birdie raised Henry in the church. As a young child he professed Jesus Christ has his Savior and was baptized. As an adult, he joined Evangelistic Missionary Church of God in Christ. He received his formal education at Hoover High School and was a member of the 1990 graduating class. Earl went on to continue his education at North Iowa College. He was a Criminal Justice major and a member of the football team.

Earl worked several jobs throughout his life but spent the majority of his career at Firestone and the Des Moines Public School District as a bus associate.

Along lifes journey Earl met Lainda Gines. After courting the two were joined in matrimony on August 18, 2001. Between them they were blessed with six children: Earlexus, Marcia, Henry Jr., Mark, Mike and Mikel. He also helped to raise two of his grandchildren, Jazlynn and Aloyal. Earl and Lainda shared life and love together for over 26 years.

Earl loved everything football. He was a DIE HARD Oakland Raiders fan and enjoyed watching games every week. Once Henry Jr. was old enough, Earl introduced him to the game and was his little league coach. Earl was also a fan of the Chicago Cubs and Serena Williams was his girlfriend. His other pass times included playing chess, tonk and traveling. He was also a regular player in his Tuesday night pool league, until his health failed.

On October 21, 2020 Earl was called from time into eternity. Awaiting his arrival on the other side were his parents, Earl and Birdie Drake; sisters, Adrianna Love and Kay Murray; his grandparents; aunts, Betty Fountain, Pearl Cooper, Allean Spencer and Lucille Williams who was also his godmother; mother-in-law, Ruby Franklin; brother-in-law, Steve Craddock; brotherhood friends, Tony and his loyal companion, Paco.

Earl will be deeply missed by his wife of 19 years, Lainda Drake. He also leaves to cherish his memory his daughters; Earlexus Drake and Marcia Lewis; sons, Henry Drake Jr., Mark Gines, Michael Lewis Jr. and Mickel Lewis; three biological grandchildren, Janiyah, Earl and Isaiah; two grandchildren whom he raised as his own, Jazlynn Lewis and Aloyal Lewis; sisters, Earnestine (Rudy) Farley, Janice Love, Earlene Craddock and Cynthia Drake; brother, Ray Drake; sisters-in-law, Martha Denton, Brenda Gines and Jackie Gines; brothers-in-law, Robert Smith, Bobby (Jamie) Franklin, Larry Smith and Horace Gines; aunt, Classy (Louis) Kinney; uncles, Abraham, David, James, Leon, Charles and Marshall; godchildren, Deondra Gross and Sanaa Smith; godfather, Superintendent Albert Williams; brotherhood friends, Terry Murray, Tim Murray, Freddie Windsor and Andrea Hines; special friend who volunteered to accompany him in surgery, Jasmin Vincent-Bryson and a host of other relatives and friends.

Earls presence will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who knew him.

All donations should be made payable to his wife Linda Drake at the following location: 1112 E 8th St Des Moines IA 50316 Visitation









Friday, October 30, 2020

12:00 - 7:00pm









Elim Christian Fellowship

Visitation (with family present)









Friday, October 30, 2020

5:00 - 7:00pm









Henderson's Highland Park Funeral Home

Celebration of Life









Saturday, October 31, 2020

Starts at 1:00pm









Henderson's Highland Park Funeral Home