James Drakeford

Mr. James Drakeford, Jr. entered into eternal life on Monday, November 6, 2017 at Kershaw Health in Camden, South Carolina. Born June 10, 1944 in Kershaw County, he was the son of the late James Drakeford, Sr. and the late Sara Neal Drakeford. He was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Carrie Smith Drakeford and to this union, three children were born. James attended the public schools of Kershaw County and attended Macedonia Baptist Church at an early age. He later became a member of St. Peter United Methodist Church where he served as a Trustee. James was loving, kind hearted person who was always willing to help anyone in need. He was a “jack of all trades.” He was an electrician, a carpenter, a mechanic, a farmer, and great with his hands; there was nothing he couldn’t fix. He retired after thirty-three years of service at Duke Power and just recently retired after eleven years of service with Kershaw County Solid Waste Center. Preceding him in death were his parents, James and Sara Neal Drakeford; his wife, Carrie Smith Drakeford; his brothers, Arthur, James (Jay), Eddie, and Tillman Neal; his sisters, Eva Mae, Iola, and Christine. Those left to cherish his fond memories, grieve his passing, and celebrate his home going are his children: Mrs. Gloria (James) Johnson, Tyronne (Cindi) Drakeford both of Camden, South Carolina; Cedric Drakeford of Charlotte, North Carolina; Dorothy Drakeford of Camden, South Carolina; five grandchildren, Julian J. Drakeford, Justus T. Drakeford, James O. Johnson, Jaycee C. Drakeford, and Jamera A. Johnson; one sister, Mrs. Mahalia Adamson; six sister-in-laws and six brother-in-laws; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. “Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you.”