Cheryl (Cheri) Jean Drake, 76, was called home to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in the early morning hours of May 12th. Cheri passed with family by her side and in her home, just as she wanted.

Born March 3, 1950, Cheri was the daughter of Donald Edwin Alvis and Jean Lois Stockment. On January 10, 1971, she married Dale Drake at Hope Methodist Church in Hope, Indiana. They were married for 55 years, and theirs was a great love story often compared to that of the movie The Notebook. Cheri’s greatest joy in life was being married to Dale and being a mom to her two sons, Justin and Jarett Drake. “I only wanted to be your wife and a good mom to our two boys,” She often said this to her husband. Cheri, your mission was accomplished.

After graduating from Hauser High School in 1968, Cheri married Dale and soon moved to Germany while he was serving in the US Army. After a year, they moved home to Columbus. Their first son, Justin, was born in 1975. In 1978, a second son, Jarett, was born. Cheri was very proud of her two sons. If you know her “boys”, you know what a great job she did with Dale in raising them. They are good men, and her strong parenting shows.

Cheri is survived by her loving husband, Dale. Her two sons, Justin (Dawn) Drake of Norman, IN and Jarett (Nikki) Drake off Seymour, IN. She was the grandmother to 8 grandchildren: Brandon, Shauna, Aaron, Ashton, Shannah, Steven, Maddox, and Alisa. She was also the great-grandmother to Maya, Kali, and Charlie.

Cheri has two surviving sisters, Marcia (Gary) Bundura and Karen Alvis, and one surviving brother, Doug (Teresa) Alvis. Cheri also leaves behind many nieces and nephews as well as many friends.

Cheri was preceded in death by her parents, Donald E. Alvis and Jean L. Alvis; and in-laws, Wilfred W Drake and Francis M Drake. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Donald D. Alvis, and her sister Cassandra Sheffield.

If you knew Cheri, you knew her kind heart. Once you were in her life, you were there for the long haul. Whether it be a phone call or a card, she had a thoughtfulness that was unmatched. She would always ask about your family or how you were doing. Cheri loved the holidays and gift-giving. She always said, “not spoiled, greatly loved.” Her love language was that of giving and words of affirmation. It might be a bible verse sent via text, a call telling you she was thinking of you, or a card sent in the mail. It was easy to be drawn to Cheri. She was very personable and showed interest in anyone she met. Cheri was a woman of great faith and prayed for others daily. We will miss her, and are comforted by the promise that we will see her again someday.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 16 at 2 p.m. at Norman Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Hope Moravian Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be given to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.