Drake Holliday, a Legal Aid attorney in Nashville for 30 years, died February 2.
Drake was one of those people who refused to turn his back on the poor. When President Reagan cut back on legal services to the poor, Drake stuck it out and continued to help thousands and thousand of Tennesseans. He knew poverty law, and he used to help people fight back.
He was active in political campaigns for men and women who believed that the poor deserved a fair shake. He was particularly active in Bill Purcell’s political career, helping him get elected to the State House (where he later served as Majority Leader) and later as Mayor of Nashville.
He is survived by his wife, Lynne, daughter Alex and son Adam.
As one would expect, his family has asked that those wishing honor his life may do so by contributions to the Legal Aid Society or the Tennessee Justice Center.
Drake’s death lives a void in the Nashville legal community and an ache in the hearts of those who knew him.
He was a good, good man.