Candace Drake Belk

Candace Drake Belk, age 68, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, August 24, 2017, surrounded by her family. She was born on Christmas day in 1948 in Batesville, MS, where she resided for most of her life. Funeral services for Candace will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2017 in the Martin Willingham Memorial Chapel of Wells Funeral Home in Batesville, MS. The family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 prior to the service. Interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery. Dr. Gary Berry and Dr. Tommy Snyder will officiate.Candace was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph David "J.D." Drake and Ella Quay Dulin Drake, and her sister Sandra Drake Miller. She leaves behind her husband Raymond Belk; her daughters, Cassandra "Cass" Clements Matney (David) of Brandon, MS, and Kristi Clements House (John) of Birmingham, AL; two grandchildren, Chelsae Matney Waldridge (Ben) and Lindsey Faith Matney; Three great-grandsons, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Batesville where she taught children's Sunday School and worked in the nursery many years. She was a 1966 graduate of South Panola High School and a graduate of Northwest Community College where she was a cheerleader. She graduated from Ole Miss with degrees in English and Library Science. She retired in 2012 as a librarian with Batesville Elementary School, where she was affectionately known as the "Library Lady". She was called "Miss Candace" by the students. Candace was an avid reader, especially upon retirement, and was often found reading more than one book at a time. She instilled the love for reading into her daughters. She was a selfless and devoted wife and mother who loved the simple things in life, especially being at home with her family and family pets. Her smile was contagious and she will be truly missed. The family request that any memorials go to: Gideons International, PO Box 791 Batesville, MS 38606 or First Baptist Church, 104 Panola Ave. Batesville, MS 38606