Rita Mae (Cockrell) Drabek passed away peacefully at her home on October 26, 2025 at the age of 93. In her lifetime, Rita was defined by her devotion to her husband, family and friends, as well as her students and faculty.
Rita is survived by her son John Allen Drabek and wife Gloria of Sugar Land, son-in-law Donnie Marshall of Waterwood, her only grandchild Colby Drabek and wife Michelle, great-grandchildren John Henry and Adeline of New Taiton, brother Robert Cockrell and wife Linda of Natchitoches, La. and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is proceeded in death by her parents Allen Wesley Cockrell and Clara Mae (Safford) Cockrell, her parents-in-law Henry and Annie Drabek, husband of 55 years Johnnie Henry Drabek, daughter Dr. Linda Kay Drabek Marshall, sister Dr. Sarah Cockrell White, brothers A.W. Cockrell and wife Barbara, Jasper Cockrell and wife Mary, sisters-in-law Ella Bartos and husband Jim, Frances Reuther and husband John, Emily Motl and husband Ervin, Virgie LeCombe and husband LeRoy.
Rita was born in Corrigan, Polk County, Texas on May 16, 1932. Her parents believed strongly in education which led her to earning a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Houston. While working and attending school she met her husband, Johnnie, and the couple married August 22, 1955. They built their home in The Hill neighborhood of Sugar Land in 1963 which she proudly called home until her passing. Rita has been a resident of Sugar Land for 70 years.
She began her teaching career at Lakeview Elementary as a substitute teacher, this is where her love of teaching began. She then decided to return to college to obtain a teacher’s certification and master’s degree in administration. In 1957 she began to teach fourth grade at Lakeview Elementary, where she taught for 16 years. She was appointed as their Assistant Principal in 1973. In 1974-1984 she was appointed Principal at Meadows Elementary School and served as the first female Principal in the district. In 1984, she was named as Director of Elementary Curriculum until she retired from FBISD in 1990. After retirement Rita served on the Board of Trustees for Fort Bend ISD for 10 years where she was honored to have an elementary school named after her. She enjoyed visiting and supporting the teachers and students of Rita Drabek Elementary which included helping with the annual school spelling bee and reading library books aloud in the classroom. She also thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Delta Kappa Gama International Society for Women Educators, where she was a 58-year member and founding member of the local Lambda Sigma Chapter. Other affiliations include the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Texas Retired Teachers Association, board member of Region IV Service Center for six years, Sugar Creek Baptist Church and Merry Ministries Bible Study.
In her spare time, she enjoyed going to her home place in Corrigan to gather with family and cook large meals, genealogy research, quilting, and visits from her great-grandchildren. Friends and family are left with wonderful memories and stories that will live on for many generations to come. Her kindness, strength, compassion, and wisdom will never be forgotten.
A special thank you to her caregiver, Amelia Murphy, for the exceptional care and companionship she provided throughout the last year.
Please join the family in a Celebration of Life led by family friend, Deacon Bob Bass of Sugar Creek Baptist Church on Friday November 14, 2025 at Davis Greenlawn Chapel located at 3900 B.F. Terry Blvd. Rosenberg, Texas 77471. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m., a Celebration of Life will commence at 10 a.m., followed by burial at Davis-Greenlawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to the charity of one’s choice in her name.
Friends and family are invited to join us for a reception and meal at the Fort Bend KC Hall located at 2007 Kay Cee Drive, Rosenberg, Texas 77471 to share memories and stories after the service.
