Mary Ruth Droke

Mary Ruth Droke was born November 11, 1929 in Adamsville, Tennessee in the Mud Creek Community, the daughter of the late Otis and Georgia Athalee Irons Wilkins.

Mary Ruth Droke was united in marriage to Wilburn Ray Droke April 10, 1948. After serving as a teacher at Mud Creek School she worked at the slip factory and then alongside her husband at Brown Shoe. Most know the Drokes, however, from their successful television repair business which ran more than 50 years. She was a member of the original Lakeview Baptist Church.

She loved to cook, especially for her kids, grandkids, and all the visitors they would bring. Though the menu constantly changed, you could always expect vegetables from one of her and Ray’s bountiful gardens.

Most of all she loved to teach. She helped generations learn their multiplication tables. Yet, the most valuable lesson she taught was grit. One of her most used sayings being “If it is to be, it’s up to me” which she lived by with pride.

She is survived by a daughter, Judy C Locke and husband Wayne of Ramer, TN; a son, Steven Ray Droke and wife Sherry of Selmer, TN; a brother, Jessie Earl Wilkins of Adamsville, TN; five grandchildren: Justin Micheal Droke and wife Hannah of Selmer, TN, Cody Lee Droke and wife Lauren of Bethel Springs, TN, Richard Paul Locke of Corinth, MS, Corey Clinton Locke and wife Kimberly of Ramer, TN, Molly Beth Droke Hutchens and husband Randy of Kossuth, MS; four great grandchildren: Hunter Randall Hutchens of Kossuth, MS, Henley Ray Hutchens of Kossuth, MS, Hunter Gage Willis of Ramer, TN, Cassidy Shiane Willis of Ramer, TN.

In addition to her parents, Mrs Droke was preceded in death by two brothers, Johnie Burl Wilkins and Kinneth Lee Wilkins.