Drake Towery

Today we gather to celebrate and remember the life of Anthony Drake Towery - our Drake. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 18, 2026 at the Criswell Funeral Home Chapel, Rev. Earl Hood officiating.

A light that shined far brighter than he ever realized.

Drake loved simply and fully. He loved his people. He loved being surrounded by family, friends, laughter, chocolate pudding, chocolate shakes, pizza, cheeseburgers, and cooking shows; the simple joys. That is what Drake reminds us of today: that life is not always about the big moments. Sometimes it is about the small things; the smiles, the jokes, the comfort of family, and the sweetness of something simple.

Drake was deeply loved and will forever be cherished by his Nana and Papa, John and Gwen Shumate; his Granny, Claudia Towery; his brothers, Jonathan Shumate and wife Kylee, and A.J. Pineda; his sisters, Ashleigh Myers and husband Cade, Brittany Acklin and husband Nick; his aunt Brenda and Uncle Bubba; four beautiful nieces and, numerous cousins.

Drake had a strength about him that was not loud, but steady. The kind of strength that showed up in the way he kept going, even when things were hard. He had a smile that could melt tension, brighten heavy days, and remind us that joy can exist even in the middle of struggle, and while our hearts ache in a way words cannot fully express, we hold onto this truth: Drake's story does not end here. The love he gave, the laughter he shared, the strength he showed, the family bond; those things stay. They live on in every memory, every smile when we say his name, every time we choose to show the same quiet strength he showed us, and, of course, every time we eat chocolate.

The impact Drake made in his time with us was real, powerful, and lasting. He taught us about resilience, joy, and how important it is to hold tight to the people we love.

Today, we grieve, but we also honor. We honor Anthony Drake Towery, a young man whose smile could light up a room, whose love ran deep, and whose memory will never fade.

We love you, Drake, and we will carry you with us, always.