Obituary of Ila Faye Drake

Ila Faye Drake, 78, passed away peacefully Monday, January 4, 2016 at her home in Melbourne, Florida. Ila was born September 9, 1937 in Hamlet, North Carolina to William Edgar (W.E.) Smith and Minnie Lee Smith. Ila grew up in Richmond County in the church community with best friend and sister Frances Ann. She graduated high school June 4, 1956 as a Hamlet Sandspur. Ila soon married, relocated to Ithaca, New York, and then permanently to Melbourne, Florida to start a family. She never met a stranger and was active in local schools as a nurse and later as a records clerk for Harris Corporation until her retirement. After retirement, she decided her work wasn+óGé¼Gäót done and made new friends as a door greeter at Wal-Mart. She remained dedicated to her family and active in her children and grandchildren+óGé¼Gäós lives. Those who met Ila were forever touched by her genuine and kind nature and she made friends everywhere she went. Survivors include daughter and son-in-law Teresa Marie Fore and Jeff Fore; son Ronald Scott Drake; devoted partner of 23 years Robert Booth; former husband Richard Drake; grandchildren Jeff Fore Jr., Annie Marie Fore, Shannon Edwards, Shane Drake, and Anthony Lange; great-grandchildren Kaley Edwards, Kaiden Edwards, and Ryleigh Drake. She is preceded by her parents, sister Frances Ann Coble, and son Jeffrey Dean Drake.Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care, 1001 South Hickory Street, Melbourne, FL 32901, 321-724-2222.