Sister Millicent J. Drake
Sister Millicent J. Drake joined the company of angels and the choir of saints on Friday, February 10, 2023. Born July 29, 1932 to William R. Drake and Millicent J. Drake in Elizabeth, NJ., Sister Millicent was called by her Lord and Savior to lovingly serve others through her career as a Deaconess in the ELCA and earlier as a social worker advocating for children.
Sister Millicent graduated from Moravian College in 1954 and went on to the Philadelphia Lutheran Deaconess School for Church Workers. In 1958 she obtained her MS in Social Work from Bryn Mawr College. She was consecrated as a Deaconess in 1958 with her consecration Bible verse being from 1 John 4:21 which reads “This commandment we have from Him, that he who loveth God love his brother also.”
Sister Millicent served others throughout her career first working with the Lutheran Children’s Bureau from 1958 – 1970. From there she served as Parish Deaconess for Hope Lutheran Church in Reading, PA from 1970-1974. She was then called to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Boyertown where her responsibilities included Christian Education, preaching, parish visitation, catechism classes and assistant organist. She also assisted with the healing ministry begun at St. John’s in the 1970’s. Sister retired from St. John’s in 2015.
Throughout her life, Sister Millicent was able to share her gift of music as she was an accomplished piano player and organist. She lead both senior and junior choirs at times throughout her career.
Those who knew Sister knew she was an animal lover. She began a ministry of Blessing of the Animals services which so many people appreciated. She was blessed by owning many dogs and cats throughout her life and those pets were so fortunate to be in her care. They were her family. Every dog and cat she had were given a Biblical name and her dogs traveled everywhere with her.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, February 24 at Trinity Lutheran Church located at 1749 S. Main St. Bechtelsville. Friends are welcome to gather at 10:00 a.m. with the service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Inurnment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Sister Millicent’s memory to Trinity Lutheran Church at the address above or to CASA of Berks County (Court Appointed Special Advocates) whose role is to speak up for children who have been abused or neglected and serve as advocates for these children in the court system. The address for CASA is 845 N. Park R. Wyomissing, PA 19610.
Sister Millicent’s lived her life dedicated to Christ. She was quoted saying “I feel that God expects no less than my best and that my every action should be to God’s glory. I am in gratitude for all the blessings I have received and it is my humble duty and privilege to go into Christian service.” Matthew 25:23 – Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master.
Arrangements by the Linwood W. Ott Funeral Home, Inc. 111 North Reading Ave. Boyertown, PA. 19512