McKinley Eric Drakeford, III

McKinley Eric Drakeford III was born on November 21st, 1991, in Goldsboro, NC, at Seymour Johnson AFB Hospital, to his parents McKinley Drakeford II and Millicent Chestnut-Greene (Don). McKinley Drakeford passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 18th, 2025.

McKinley was preceded in death by his grandparents, McKinley and Martha Drakeford (paternal), Roosevelt Vernon Livington, and Sara Lee Chestnut (maternal).

McKinley was a high school graduate from the Myrtle Beach High School Class of 2011. He moved to Atlanta in 2015, and he was a sophomore at Georgia Institute of Technology majoring in Computer Engineering. McKinley enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially his daughter McKenzie and step-daughter Anyla. Outside of his studies, McKinley enjoyed challenging himself with skateboard routines and interactive video games.

At 33, he is survived by his Mother, Millicent (Don) Chestnut-Greene, and his Father, McKinley Drakeford II. His partner, Makeisha Powell, Daughter McKenzie Erica Drakeford, and stepdaughter Anyla Powell. His sisters, Jatasha Greenway (Philip) and Monique Drakeford (Jamar), both of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Stepsister Madalyn Lewis of Columbia, S.C., Ava Lewis of Dillon, S.C., Aunts Diane Drakeford and Kathy Eckles (Ray) of Wilmington, N.C. Constance Chestnut-Smalls (Rosco) of Murrells Inlet, S.C., Uncles Richard Chestnut of Atlanta, Georgia, Kevin Chestnut of Tampa, Florida, Keith Chestnut of Murrells Inlet, S.C., and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

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