Margaret Rowland Drake of Elizabethtown, Ky., a former long-time resident of Jackson, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Sept. 28, 2016. She was 88 years of age. Margaret was born Feb. 26, 1928 in Jackson, Ohio to Ed and Perunia (Davis) Rowland, both of whom preceded her in death.
Margaret graduated from Jackson High School in the Class of 1948. She married Stanley Drake in March of 1950, and he preceded her in death.
Her working career was always in public service beginning in 1966 when she was appointed as City Auditor followed by election to that office; she then was employed as Manager of the State Liquor Store in Jackson and in Waverly for approximately 20 years.
Margaret was a dedicated member of the Optimist Chapter of the Ohio Republican Women’s Club and the Jackson Chapter of the Ohio Federation of Business and Professional Women, as well as several other civic and school-related organizations. She had the honor through her association with Ohio BPW to be involved in Buckeye Girls’ State for several years and was honored by being chosen as Director of City Government for that organization for three years.
Following the death of her husband and parents, she moved to Elizabethtown to be near her brother and his family but still retained her life-long membership and devotion in the Christ United Methodist Church of Jackson until her passing.
Margaret is survived by her daughter, Susan Drake of Elizabethtown, Ky. and a nephew and two nieces. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Robert “Bob” Rowland and sister, Mary Rowland.
In respect for her wishes, her body was cremated; there were no services and her remains will be interred in the family plot at Fairmount Cemetery in Jackson at a later date.