Dorene Joanne Drake - Guestbook

My condolences for the loss of this dear lady. Dorene and my mother, Dickey Marie, met at Texas Tech University. They remained in touch, especially through Christmas cards, until my Mother passed in 2016.

In 2020 Dorene sent me a Christmas card that contained a precious letter from my Mother's Christmas card to her in 1960. She ran across it while cleaning out things. I was born a month later so it was very special to read my mother's words while pregnant with me.

Many Christmas ornaments and Advent calendars from Dorene are in my Christmas things.
So it was at this time I had the urge to look her up because in my heart, I knew she had departed.

fondly and with love,
Donniece Smith daughter of Dickey Marie (Harris) Smith

Dorene and I were neighbors for nearly 20 years. Dorene was a principled friendly person that cared deeply for others. She often gave of herself and shared with others. We were not only neighbors but friends as well. We attended movies, Broadway productions, plays and community events together. I will miss her more in the soon coming days because we would normally view Christmas lights and Christmas plays together during the Holidays. She enjoyed hearing a live orchestra play the full Handel's Messiah. Being around Dorene just made a person want to do and be better. As with any true educator, you learn much by being around them. When the movie "Hidden Figures" came out, she expressed an interest in going to the movies, so we did. Viewing that movie with Dorene was a personal history lesson. She told me about "girl jeans" and other aspects of the movie. The Bible teaches that your neighbor lives by you for safety's sake. We looked out for each other. At times, I could have been viewed as the nosey neighbor however, Dorene and I had an understanding. Dorene truly was a kind caring Christian woman and I miss her very much already. May these words bring some comfort to the family in knowing how much she will be missed.

I am deeply sorry for your loss...Dorene was a fine and wonderful lady. She was helpful while I was a counselor with her at Jenkins in Spring.
Her commitment to everything she did was to be admired.
Her soul is now at peace.

We send our sincere condolences to the Herbst/Drake family members in this time of sorrow. We had many pleasant conversations with Doreen throughout the years. She was truly a kind, gifted, and genuine lady, and she will be missed.

Although Dorene and I worked for Sping ISD, I didn't get to know and appreciate her humor, intellect, and wit until our luncheons after she retired. She will be missed by all who had the good fortune to be in her company. My condolences to her family.

Family of Mrs. Drake,
I met Dorene at Jenkins Elementary. She was a blessing to all who knew her. I still have the blanket she crochet for my son 28 years ago. Rest In Peace. Well done good and faithful servant,

I had the privilege of working with Dorene in spring ISD. She was an amazing counselor. Dorene was one of the sweetest humans I have ever met. She was dedicated to caring for all of the students with whom she worked... Everyone of them believed they were special because Dorene believed they were and treated them that way. We stayed in touch after we retired and she continued to spread her joy in her travels and volunteer work. Dorene will be missed by many. My condolences to all of the family.

Dorene and I worked at Jenkins Elementary in Spring ISD for a number of years. She was a gifted counselor, loved by colleagues and students.
My condolences to her family.