Remembering a community treasure Dr. Henry Thornton ‘H.T.’ Drake
Dr. Henry Thornton “H.T.” Drake transitioned August 15, 2026. He was 103.
Dr. Drake was born in 1922 in Carroll County, Mississippi. He was the first of six children born to the union of Aaron Drake Jr. and Annette Smith Drake.
During World War II, Drake served in the United States Navy. In 1950, he received his bachelor’s degree from Tougaloo College. Drake earned his Master of Science degree in Education from Indiana University in 1960. In 2006, Tougaloo College conferred upon him it’s highest honor – the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
Dr. Drake was actively involved in many civic organizations, including Tougaloo College National Alumni Association, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Tougaloo Community Civic League, Operation Shoestring, Habitat for Humanity, municipal election committees for the City of Jackson and Hinds County, Anderson United Methodist Church, and Word and Worship Church.
Dr. Drake was well known for his work as a teacher, coach, supervisor of schools, and principal for public school districts in the City of Jackson, Hinds County, and Madison County.
His first teaching job was at Hinds County Agriculture High School in Utica, MS from 1950-1952. He taught social studies, mathematics, and science, and coached the dramatic club.
From 1952 to 1958, he worked at Jim Hill High School in Jackson. He taught social studies and career guidance, coached the girls basketball team and dramatic team, served as assistant principal, guidance counselor, and was the faculty PTA representative.
During 1958 to 1964, Dr. Drake worked in Madison County, serving as Supervisor of Elementary and High Schools, and Principal of Rosa Scott School.
Dr. Drake was a trailblazer, working to eliminate racial inequality for Mississippi’s high school students. He was instrumental in founding the Magnolia State High School Student Council Association (1955) and the Magnolia State High School Activities Association (1966). These organizations fostered participation of Blacks in student government, sports, and other extracurricular activities. After these organizations merged with the white state student council and activities organizations during the 1970s, Dr. Drake became assistant director of the newly formed Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA).
Dr. Drake’s three children are Regina, Godfrey, and Denise. His wife, Mrs. Maggie Burkhead Drake (deceased), was also a Carroll County native, Tougaloo College graduate, and a teacher in the Madison Public School District.
