Denise  Watson  Drake  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Maryland  on  December  8,1953,  to  the late Shirley and Jesse Watson. She departed this life peacefully on August 7, 2024.
Denise  was  educated  in  the  Baltimore  City  Public  School  System  and  earned  her GED in 1973 after the birth of her first-born son, Raymond "Lump" Staten, Jr. in 1967.
In  1973,  Denise  married  William  "Poppa"  Jenkins.  This  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of their  son,  Shawn  Michael  Jenkins,  in  1974.  Shawn  and  Poppa  preceded  her  in  death.  For many  years,  Denise  and  Pop  lived  on  Royce  Avenue  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  where  they raised   their   sons   Lump   and   Shawn   and   developed   many   long-lasting   relationships   with neighbors, the Brown's and Gardner's.
Denise's   employment   life   began   as   a   custodian   in   the   Baltimore   County   Public Schools.  Being  a  hard  worker  and  one  that  strived  to  be  better,  she  continued  her  search and  obtained  an  entry  level  position  at  the  Domino  Sugar  Refinery.  Throughout  her  career at   Domino   Sugar,   she   held   various   positions   of   increasing   responsibility   including   boiler maker  and  foreman  (one  of  the  first  black  women  to  hold  this  position)  and  in  the  year  of her  retirement,  Dominio  Sugar  hired  its  first  black  woman  plant  manager.  A  first  in  the company's  100-year  history  that  she  was  quietly  very  proud  to  witness.  Denise  retired  from Domino Sugar in 2022 after 33 years of employment.
Domino  Sugar  was  a  two-fold  blessing  to  Denise.  Not  only  did  it  provide  her  with stable employment, but it is also where she met the love of her life, Eddie Drake, Jr. Denise and  Drake  were  a  happy  fun-loving  couple  that  hosted  many  joint  family  events  and  holiday celebrations.  They  loved  each  other  dearly.  They  were  married  for  14  years  before  his  death in 2011.

Denise  was  a  sharp  dresser  with  an  even  sharper  wit  and  attitude.  She  loved  and cherished  her  family,  was  loyal  to  friends  and  took  great  pride  in  her  work  and  her  cooking, especially  after  the  death  of  her  mother.  As  the  oldest  of  eleven  children,  when  her  mother passed  away,  Denise  was  instrumental  in  keeping  the  family  close  and  maintaining  certain family  traditions  and  recipes  and  started  a  few  of  her  own.  Our  Sunday  dinners  and  holiday celebrations  were  like  mini  family  reunions  with  an  abundance  of  food,  drinks  and  fun. While   her   words   at   times   were   harsh,   she   was   also   very   kind,   generous,   proud   and supportive of many of her family and friends.
Denise  leaves  to  cherish  her  memory:  son:  Raymon  Staten,  Jr.,  sisters  and  brother: Victoria,   Diane   and   Kevin   Watson,   Robin   Johnson,   Druscilla   "Cleo"   Morrow;   stepsister: Rhonda   Jordan.   Grandchildren:   Raymond   M.   Staten,   Tamara   and   TaShawn   Jenkins   and Reign  Staten  and  a  host  of  great-grandchildren,  nieces,  nephews,  cousins  and  friends,  who loved and adored her. She was preceded in death by: Husband: Eddie Drake, Jr., son: Shawn Jenkins;  brothers  and  sisters:  Arnold,  Jesse,  and  Leslie  Watson,  Keith  Morrow,  and  Darnell Gaither; and best friend: Betty Brown.
The  family  would  like  to  give  special  thanks  to  certain  family  members  and  friends that  provided  enormous  amounts  of  love,  care  and  support  for  Denise  over  the  past  eight months  of  her  illness.  Denise  absolutely  loved  and  adored  them  and  while  at  times  it  was challenging   both   physically    and   emotionally,   they   did   their   very   best   to   keep   her comfortable  and  in  good  spirits.  We  give  special  thanks  and  gratitude  to  Sharday  Bryant, her  niece,  who  served  as  her  primary  caregiver  and  emotional  supporter.  Kevin  Watson,  her brother,  who  also  assisted  with  caregiver  duties  and  was  the  primary  recipient  of  many  of her  cuss-outs,  but  still  kept  her  laughing.  Raymond  Staten,  Jr.,  her  son,  who  also  helped with  caregiving  and  stayed  many  nights  with  her  during  her  hospital  stays.  Pattie  Owens, sister-in-law,  provided  many  words  of  comfort,  friendship  and  support  for  Denise  and  the family.  We  cannot  thank  you  all  enough  for  your  unwavering  love  and  support  for  Denise and the family.