Eddie Ray Drane, 83, of Sheffield, went home to be with Jesus Aug. 16, 2014.
Visitation will be today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Christ Chapel Church in Florence. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. in the church with burial to follow at Sheffield Oakwood Cemetery. Brother Brett Pittman and Brother Doc Shell are officiating.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Norma “Lois” Drane, and parents, Leonard B. and Maggie McCarty Drane, brother, Arlon Keith “Buddy” Drane, and sister, Daphyne Thrasher.
Survivors include sons, Steve Drane (Mary) and Mark Drane (Linda);
daughters, Kristi Holley (Art) and Joy Howard (James); and sister, Shirley Hollimon (Wayne); and special friend, Mary McWilliams;
grandchildren, Kimberly Jewel Drane, Jeremy Tyler Drane (Meghan), Zachary Ray Drane, Matthew Scott Drane (Jacki), David Ryan Drane, Tyler Joseph Holley (Krista), Darren James Holley, Andrew Caleb Holley, Abbi Danielle Holley, Aaron Joseph Howard, Hannah Joy Howard, and Maggie Lena Howard; and
great-grandchildren, Thomas, Cadence, Hannah , Adelaide, Uriah, and Gideon.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Mr. Drane was a member of Highland Park Baptist Church and also attended Christ Chapel. He was a retired veteran 1st Lt. of the Army where he served during the Korean War. He retired from a career at Reynolds Metals and had a wedding photography business for many years.
If there ever lived a man who was “all in” for Jesus Christ, that man was Eddie R. Drane. He was actively involved in the Gideons International, American Legion, taught, and preached
at Restoration Ranch, the Detention Center, and the Prison Ministry up until the day he died. There is no denying that he absolutely loved his family with all his heart.
He was a prayer warrior, a mighty man of God, and carried the gospel everywhere he went, a generous man and full of God’s love; he had a way to bring humor at just the right moment. His comedic skills were often displayed during the last 50 years of being a member of the Whoop-um -up Bunch. A true example of Jesus here on earth and the best looking man..who lived on his street.
