Alma (Lyles) Drakeford

Alma Ernestine Drakeford was born in Camden, SC, on November 17, 1946, to the parents of Junior Alexander and Willie Catherine Lyles. She accepted Christ into her life at an early age, and was a dedicated member of Sanders Creek Baptist church until she fell ill. She started the Children’s Church ministry, and sung on the J.L Chestnut Chorale, the Inspirational Mass Choir and the Sanders Creek Senior Choir. She received her elementary education from Kirkwood School and graduated from Jackson High School in 1965. She was married to the late Johnnie Drakeford, also of Camden, SC. Throughout her working career, she was an employee of BF Goodrich, Walgreens, Kershaw County Adult Day Care, and First Baptist Church of Camden.Alma was an avid reader, and she absolutely adored children, not only her own but every child in which she came in contact. She had a passion for caring for children, and It would not be out of the ordinary to find her home full of children from throughout the community. She was also known for her softball pitching prowess, as she was famous for her underhand fastball style of pitching.On Thursday, November 15, 2018, she was called home to be with the Lord, with her family standing by her side. Alma was survived by three children John Drakeford III, Nichelle Drakeford, and the Honorable Judge Darrell Drakeford; three sisters Bobbie Robinson, Wilhemenia Drakeford, and Henrietta Lyles-Gray; three sister-in-laws, Louvenia Drakeford, Barbara Bobo and Louise Adamson; brother-in-law Eugene Drakeford. She was preceded by brother John Edward (Squeaky) Truesdale and sister Ella Louise Drakeford. Alma had four grandchildren, Antonio Drakeford, Annika Drakeford-Johnson (husband Nick), Iman Drakeford, and Ethan Drakeford, great grandchildren Tylin Drakeford, Elijah Drakeford, Jaiu Drakeford, Jailayshia Drakeford, Kinslee Johnson, and Khilee Drakeford, a host of nieces, nephews and cousins, and a special niece, Catherine Robinson who also served as a caretaker, God children Ronetta Pinckney and Paris Salmon, special friends Vivian Moore and Teresa Warren, and a host of quasi adopted children whom she loved like her own.
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