Helen Jacobs Drake, 87, of Raeford, died at home surrounded by her family on Sunday, April 5, 2020.
Born December 20, 1932, in Pembroke, she lived in Hoke County for the last 30 years.
She was an adventurous and determined spirit. She left her Lumbee homelands as a teenager for the big city and moved to Baltimore, Maryland. About 10 years later, she moved to Long Island New York where she raised her children and owned a successful hair and beauty salon.
In the mid-1980s, she returned to Hoke County and again opened up a hair salon where she helped many a customer look and feel their best. She created a beautiful home surrounded by hundreds of flowers, trees, plants, and a bountiful vegetable garden. Determined to graduate from high school, she returned to school after many years, and received her high school diploma graduating at the top of her class. She was an avid baker, cook and storyteller, had a sharp wit, and loved to travel to experience new places and adventures. No matter where she lived or what she was doing, she had a giving heart and shared with all.
She is preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Annette Akers; her stepson, Clifton Drake; her father Herman Jacobs, mother Gussie Jacobs, and siblings, Alice Jacobs, Buck Jacobs, Patsy Jacobs Brayboy, and Fred Jacobs.
She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Larry Drake; two daughters, Sharon Woolwine (husband Steven) and Susan Vieira (husband Mike); grandchildren, Angelina Okuda-Jacobs (husband Rollie), Akio Henderson, Shannon Hattersley, Kristie Kumor (husband Patrick), Jacob Hess, Daniel Hess, Amanda Hess, Jacqueline Foster (husband Kevin), Sarah Dobry (husband Evan), Cameron Woolwine, and Hannah Woolwine; five great-grandchildren; her stepson, Rodney Drake (wife Susan); stepdaughter Kimberly Bethel (husband Carl); her sister Mildred Morgan (husband Junior) of Lumber Bridge; and brothers Horace Jacobs of Lumberton, Ernest Locklear of Lumber Bridge, and Tony Jacobs of Pembroke,.
She will be laid to rest near Annette in a private ceremony. A public memorial service will be held once large public gatherings resume in our communities.