Gloria Evonne Drake (Jan 26,1943-Jan 6, 2026) went to be with her Lord on January 6, 2026. Gloria was preceded in death by her father John Peyton, mother Margaret Peyton, and former husband Lee Drake. She is survived by former husbands David Canfield and Richard Ashmore, with whom she maintained important friendships, and her children Anna Canfield (Ronald Izen), Cynthia Hamilton (Tom), Jonathan Canfield, Christy Rouleau (Jim), Elizabeth Ashmore-Bradburn (Jerry), and Casey Drake Ammons (Jason). Her many grandchildren and great grandchildren include Austin (Sam) and Jodi Canfield; Margaret (“Matty”), Gracey, and Eliza (“Ellie”) Hamilton; Colby Rouleau; Annie Bradburn; Jolene Ammons; Jesse and Layla Carroll; and Lily, Leiya, and Callen Canfield. She was blessed with many wonderful cousins and dear friends whom she cherished, especially her sweet cousin Lisa Shumate, her friend for over 60 years JoAnne Baldwin, her friend for over 40 years Lou Ann Hackney, and her beloved Austin friends Nan and Doc Goodman.
Gloria grew up largely in Miami and often spoke of wonderful memories of sunny days on Florida beaches with family and friends. When she was in high school, Gloria and her parents moved to Roanoke to be closer to their extended family. Gloria quickly involved herself in a variety of activities at Jefferson High School, including as an editor of Jefferson’s school newspaper, the Jefferson News, which helped earn her an invitation to Quill & Scroll, an international honor society for high school journalists. After turning down a scholarship to study English in college, Gloria began a short career as a talented hairdresser and colorist, which included exciting work as a hairdresser for Opera Birmingham. Always a lover of knowledge, Gloria went back to school when her children were older. She studied accounting and bookkeeping at Pellissippi State Community College and upon completing that program, became the office manager for a landscaping business in Knoxville. Years later, she was eager to learn a new trade and went back to school to become a pharmacy technician, which was the last job she held. In 2004, she moved from Tennessee to Austin to be with her daughter Cynthia and her new granddaughter Matty. Gloria was an extremely important part of the Hamilton family’s lives and grew very close to her granddaughters Matty, Gracey, and Ellie, whom she helped raise. She stayed in Texas until 2021, when she moved to Boston to live with her daughter Anna and son in law Ronald.
Gloria had a lifelong love of God and was a devoted churchgoer. She was an active member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Tennessee and Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin. Her service as a longtime member of the choirs at St. Mark’s and Shepherd of the Hills was especially meaningful, as was her work as a Shepherd-of-the-Hills volunteer at an Austin elementary school.
Gloria was an astute and cultured woman who was rarely seen without a book (or two) in her hand. She appreciated people from all walks of life. She could light up any room with her truly vibrant personality, marvelous sense of humor, and wonderfully contagious laugh. She was a lover of dancing and great music. She was never afraid to re-invent herself. She was always willing to impart Biblical wisdom or a kind word of encouragement. She touched the lives of many and will be deeply missed.
Gloria’s family will host a service to honor her life on January 17, 2026, at noon at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem, Virginia. After the service, family and friends are invited to join Gloria’s children and grandchildren at the Stone House at Black Dog Salvage, 914 13th Street, S.W., in Roanoke