R.S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home | Memphis, TN

Obituary For Early C Drane, Sr.

Husband, family-oriented, protector and provider are just a few words to describe this giant of a man. Early C. Drane, Sr. was born in Cochran, Mississippi on November 10, 1924, the 4th of eleven children to Martha (Thomas) and Drew Drane. As a young man, he joined the United States Navy and served for two years. After leaving the Navy, he became employed by Cargill Nutrena in the maintenance department for many years until retirement. Upon retirement, Early became self-employed and continued to do the things he loved to do in the area of construction. A man of many talents, he built the family home as well as the second home on the property. In his spare time, he loved to hunt and fish. He would often go on fishing trips with men from his church. He was a true Patriarch of the family. Although he was soft spoken, he never had to say the same thing twice. When he spoke, you automatically knew he meant what he said. Everybody in the neighborhood knew Mr. Drane and respected him. After the passing of his wife, people in the neighborhood continued to look out for him. Whenever they would see him sitting on the porch or doing one of his many walks, they would ask him if he was okay. They never allowed any harm or danger to come his way. On Monday, November 5, 2019, while home peacefully sleeping, God whispered his name and Early C. Drane, Sr. stepped from time into eternity. He leaves to mourn his passing, two sons, James H. (Lorraine) Drane, Early C. (Ella) Drane, Jr.; two daughters, Ilene Norman and De’Leice R. Drane; brothers Shirley Drane and Tommie Drane; sisters Annie Lanier and Otha Burgess; 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Jannie M. Drane, his son and daughter-in-law, Melvin L. (Mary A.) Drane, Sr; his daughters Janice Marie Drane and Doris Drane; his brothers J.D. Draine, Willie Forest and John; and his sisters Helen Simmons, Dorothy Bryant and Julia Bryant. Early

The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Friday, November 15, 2019, at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, 1482 Pillow Street, Memphis, Tennessee. Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, 1482 Pillow Street, Memphis, Tennessee. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Memphis, TN.

Guest Book

Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- R.S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home