Zella M. Drake, 90, of Connersville passed away on Friday, June 24, 2022. She was born in Franklin County, Indiana, on November 17, 1931, to the late Steve and Edna Hunter Fox.

Zella graduated in 1949 from Brookville High School. On September 1, 1956, Zella married the love of her life, Kellas "Pickle" Drake. Mrs. Drake was an administrative professional. Her career began at Avco as a secretary and administrative assistant. She worked in the Richmond and Cincinnati offices for 23 years. Zella also worked as a court reporter at the Union County Courthouse. After working in this profession for 23 years, she began her retirement in 1998. Lastly, Zella worked as an executor at Michael Douglas law offices in Liberty, Indiana.

Zella loved the time she spent with people and adored her extended family and friends. She could regularly be seen running or walking the neighborhood. Zella loved dogs, the outdoors, and especially enjoyed spending her winters in Florida.

She is survived by her nieces and nephews: Chris (Anne Adams) Fox, Greg (Henriette) Fox, Julie (Jim) Laskey, Joni Dixon, Steve (Carla) Glover, and Kelly (Sonja Gunning-Nickels) Glover. Zella will be greatly missed by 13 great nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, C.E. Harris; and sister-in-law, Phyllis Fox.

Her memory will be cherished forever by her special friend, Rachel Johnson (Brian) Page.

Zella was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, Kelly Drake; her sister, Joyce Harris; brother, Charles Fox; and nephew, Danny Fox.

Friends and family may gather on Thursday, June 30, 2022, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Urban Winkler Funeral Home, 513 W 8 ^th Street, Connersville, IN 47311. A celebration of life for Zella will begin at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorial contributions to be made to the Connersville Baptist Temple, which Zella was a member of for many years, or The American Cancer Society.