Sheila Rae Drake Andrews

Sheila Rae Drake Andrews, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at McArthur Manor in Manchester, TN.

Sheila was born in St. Louis, MO to Lawrence Drake and Margaret Jenkins. Sheila had two older brothers she adored, Byron (now deceased) and Ben. Her school years were spent as a city girl in Bronxville, New York, but fate took her life in another direction… south! Sheila attended the University of Georgia where she met Toccoa boy, Harold Andrews. They married at the “Little Church Around the Corner” in New York City and returned to Toccoa to start a family and a life together.

Sheila was always two feet ahead and ready for the next new adventure. Probably her greatest adventure was providing a very happy childhood for her two children, Bruce and Lori. Sheila taught them to laugh easy and love big. She was faithful to the core and determined about all the right things: faith, family, and friends. Her heart was open to anyone and everyone at all times.

Sheila was an artist and was creative. She served as a reporter for the Toccoa Record, the Nashville Banner, and the Manchester Times. Her career included mall management in Atlanta and apartment management in Toccoa. For Sheila, the goal was always the same, to serve and enjoy the people around her with her whole heart and with love.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, part of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and a volunteer for the Currahee Military Museum.  She also enjoyed doing seasonal decorations for Brother John’s Sub and Sandwich Shop.

I Timothy 6:19 urges us to “take hold of the life that is truly life”.  Sheila did just that.  She loved God and she loved people. She taught us that life is always worth living …there is always hope, no matter what… and love is always worth it, no matter the cost. She would always say, “have fun, be yourself, march to your own drummer and bloom where you are planted.  Always look for the next adventure…. and above all…give it to God and the rest will fall into place.”

Sheila is preceded in death by husband, Harold Andrews and her brother Byron Drake.

She is survived by her brother, Ben Drake of Peachtree City, GA; her children, Lori Andrews of Franklin, TN, and Bruce (Joy) Andrews of Alabaster, AL; granddaughters, Tiffany Hines of Camden, Alabama and Jessica Tucker (Cory) of Rome, GA; four great-grandsons, Slade Hines, Carson Hines, Ezra Tucker, and Jude Tucker.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary from 11:00 am until 12:45 pm Saturday, May 20, 2023.

Funeral services will be held at one o’clock Saturday, May 20, 2023 from the Chapel of Whitlock Mortuary with the Rev. Jerrell Beatty officiating.

Burial will follow at Stephens Memorial Gardens.

The family wishes to thank all family and friends who made her life such a happy place and a special debt of gratitude to Dr. Reesie Cummings for her care and loving presence through the years. Special thanks also to Bridget George, APN and the care givers at McArthur Manor in Manchester, Tennessee for loving and caring for Sheila so well these past 3 years.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Shirley’s Soul Food/Shirley’s Shelter, 124 West Currahee Street, Toccoa, GA 30577.

Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers and sign the online guestbook at www.whitlockmortuary.net

Whitlock Mortuary, Funerals and Cremations is honored to be serving the family of Mrs. Sheila Rae Drake Andrews.