Ellen Hutchinson Drake, 83, of Hendersonville, died on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012 at her home. 

A native of Polk County she was born on Feb. 15, 1929 to the late James “Major” Hutcherson and Roxie Williams Hutchinson. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Charley E. Drake who died in 2004.

Ellen attended Tryon School before moving to Henderson County at the age of 10. She then went on to graduate from Hendersonville High School, class of 1948. She worked at Henderson Oil Company until her retirement in 1992 after 20 years of faithful service.

A woman of deep personal faith and optimism, she was a member of First Baptist Church, Hendersonville since she was a child. She was a member of the Henderson County Women Democrats and Senior Democrats. She also was a tireless advocate for animals, especially her beloved cats.

She is survived by her son, Chris Drake of the home; her daughter, Vanessa Drake and her husband, Terence Adrian, of New York, NY; her granddaughter, Katherine Adrian of New York, NY; her sister, Jeanette Warfield of California; her sister-in-law, Frances Hutchinson of Winston-Salem; many nieces and nephews and their families.

A funeral service was held on 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013 at Thos. Shepherd’s Church Street Chapel with Reverend David Marshall officiating. The family received friends prior to the service. Burial was at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Blue Ridge Humane Society, 1214 Greenville Highway, Hendersonville, N.C. 28792.