Mrs. Mary Louise Smith Drake, 92, of Batesville, MS, passed away on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at DeSoto Healthcare and Rehab in Southaven, MS.

Mrs. Drake was born on September 7, 1924 in Courtland, MS to The Late Christine Fisher Smith and David H. Smith. She was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church in Batesville where she taught Sunday School and lead the Explorer's Bible Study for many years. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister who felt that her life's focus was to take care of her family, second only to serving the Lord. She loved history and studying God's word, and would often be found reading her Bible. Described by her children as a "wonderful prayer warrior," she prayed for everyone she knew, and she will be deeply missed by her family and many friends.

She is survived by her loving family which includes her daughters, Suzanne Covington (Jimmy) of Sardis, MS and Mellie Watts (Lin) of Conyers, GA; her sons, Danny A. Drake (Sylvia) of Hattiesburg, MS and Roy F. Drake (Linda) of Bartlett, TN; her sister, Martha Rowsey; nine grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alton C. Drake and her parents.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 11am in the First Baptist Church in Batesville. Interment will follow in Batesville Magnolia Cemetery. Visitation will be held in the church on Tuesday from 10am until service time at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, 104 Panola Ave., Batesville, MS 38606.

Dickins Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.