With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Anne Drake on Dec. 5, 2024 at her home in Mexico, at the age of 76.  Anne was born on April 27, 1948 to George M., Jr. and Jessie Chastain in New Brunswick, N.J.  Although she lived in several states during her lifetime, Texas (Houston), Massachusettes (Wakefield), Connecticut (Cromwell Hills) and Tennessee (Memphis), Anne called Lake Charles her home for most of her life, until moving to Mexico after her retirement from ConocoPhillips and the death of her parents.

Anne was very active in each community that she lived in, especially local theater groups and animal rescue and adoption organizations.  She was especially proud of her involvement in Lake Charles Little Theater (LCLT), where she served as a Board Member, Publicity Chairperson and Concessions Committee member, as well as performing in countless LCLT plays.  Anne starred in both major and minor roles, bringing all her characters to life, no matter how big or small!

Another organization close to Anne’s heart was the Eljay Foundation for Parkinson’s awareness, where she served as a Board Member and Gala Committee member.  After the death of her father from Parkinson’s, Anne was devoted to the support and research to cure the devastating disease.  She was instrumental in her assistance with the Eljay Foundation’s opening of their new Ryan Street office, and received the prestigious Wind Beneath My Wings – Butterfly Award in 2009 for being a Passionate Philanthropist, Board Member, and friend to the Parkinson’s community.

Anne was active in numerous other community organizations, serving as President of Rotary Club of Westlake (2008 to 2009); Member and Past President of the United Way Publicity Committee; Panel Member of United Way A&R Committee; member of the Gingham Ladies of the Historical Society; and as a Member, Media Assistant, and Backstage Food Committee member of the McNeese Banners Committee.

Anne’s true passion (other than her family) was her love of animals, especially cats and dogs.  She was extremely active in many rescue and adoption organizations/programs, including Lake Area Partnerships for Animal Welfare, where she served as Publicity Committee Member, Adoption Days Assistant, and as a Foster Home.

Even after relocating to Mexico, Anne continued to be heavily involved in community development and animal rescue. She acted as an independent rescuer, providing foster housing herself while also supporting many other independent rescue organizations.  She was a member of the Rotary Club and local theater group in Chapala, and she also supported various elders, orphanages, and children’s causes.  Anne impacted so many lives, human, canine and feline, and will be forever remembered for the joy she brought to so many.  She will also be remembered as a loving and involved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. 

Those left to cherish her memory are her brother, George M. Chastain III; daughter, Amy Hinton; son Douglas Henning and wife, Maryellen; granddaughter, Morgan Eastman and husband, Cade; grandson, Logan Wilson and wife, Sarah; grandsons Jonathan and Jason Henning; great-grandchildren Kemper, Elizabeth and Preston Eastman; and two nieces and one nephew. She was proceeded by her parents, George M. Jr. and Jessie Chastain, and both her paternal and maternal grandparents. 

Visitation for the family and friends of Anne will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 11, 2025, with a memorial service to follow at 2 p.m., both in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Lake Charles. For those unable to attend in person, the memorial service will also be streamed live on the church’s YouTube channel.  Family and friends are also encouraged to visit Anne’s memorial page,

https://www.forever missed.com/anne-drake/.  In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the organizations listed below: Eljay Foundation for Parkinson’s Awareness, United Way Southwest Louisiana, Lake Area Partnerships for Animal Welfare (donation options are included in their banner), Rotary International, Lake Charles Little Theatre, MexiMutt, McNeese Banners (select option for Banners at McNeese Endowment).