Barbara Ann Drake

      Barbara Ann Drake, age 90, of Ovid, MI, passed away Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
      A Celebration of Life will be held at United Church of Ovid, Ovid, MI, on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 12:00 P.M.  Barbara will be laid to rest with her husband, George Edward Drake at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI.
     Barbara was born in Lewiston, Maine on May 25, 1936, the daughter of Ernest Leslie and Emma Helene (McEntee) Crandall. On September 5, 1954, Barbara married George Edward Drake at St. Paul's in Wellesley, Massachusetts. They were married for sixty-five years prior to his passing on May 7, 2020.
     After raising her two sons, Barbara began working for a furniture upholstery company where she learned the skills of the trade. She went on to own and operate her own business called Drake's Upholstery in Harrison, MI. She ran it for over 36 years.
     In her spare time, Barbara loved tending to her garden at home. In her younger days, her and George would pack up the truck and take their sons on vacations around the country. It wasn't until her retirement that Barbara and George took their bigger trips, visiting 40 states in their RV travels.
     More than anything, Barbara loved spending time with her family, and made a point to be there at every gathering and event. She will be deeply missed by her loved ones.
     She is survived by her sons: George Drake II and Donald (Carolyn) Drake; grandchildren: Sarah (Patrick) McKaig, Daniel (Teri) Drake, and David (Victoria) Drake; and ten great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law: Delilah Langenfeld and Kathy Drake. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband George, parents Ernest and Emma Crandall; in-laws Merlin and Gertrude Drake; and brothers-in-law: Robert Drake, Harold Drake, Patrick Drake, and Calvin Drake.
     Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Houghton Chapel, Ovid, Michigan.