Obituaries

Lewis Thomas Drane, 84, of Martinsville, Va. passed away Thursday, August 10, 2023. He was born in Jackson, Mississippi, on December 31, 1938, to Ferdinand Becker Drane and Gertrude Donovan Drane.

In addition to his parents, Lewis was preceded in death by a wife, Shelly Frith Drane; grandson, Jacob Robert “JJ” Dowdy, Jr. and a great granddaughter, Madeline Drane.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Adkins Drane; sons, John Drane (Karen) and Jim Drane (Ellen); daughters, Jennifer Allison (Frank) and Katherine Peyton Drane (Jacob Dowdy); grandchildren, Lewis Drane III, Benjamin Drane, Nicholas Drane, Matthew Drane, Lacy Drane, Grace Drane, Josh Moore (Addie), Zachary Moore and Patrick Lewis Brennan Drane; brothers, William “Bill” Drane, Becker Drane, and Edward “Ed” Drane; sisters, Mary Ellen Stockdale, Gertrude Italiano, Josephine “Jo” Black, and Cathy Brown; brothers-in-law, Jim and Jay Frith; also many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Lewis served in the U.S. Army as a cryptographer while stationed in Japan. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He loved and enjoyed his family. He loved all of his many good friends, good food, and traveling. His favorite destination was the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. He also loved the outdoors, going to Boxwood and especially the YMCA.

A funeral mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at St Joseph Catholic Church and will be officiated by Father Carlos Lerma. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. The entombment will be at Roselawn Burial Park Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2481 Spruce Street, Martinsville, Va. 24112, or the Martinsville YMCA, 3 Starling Avenue, Martinsville, Va. 24112.

The family extends their sincere appreciation for the many acts of love and kindness extended to Lewis by the following caregivers: Odessie Gill, Sharon Hodges, Pat Tatum, LaSheiea Barner, Shannon Chitwood, Keizia Hairston, Jessie Lunnerman, Kim Williamson and Wendy Prillaman.

McKee-Stone Funeral Home, Martinsville, Va. is serving the family.