AIKEN, SC- Dalma Griffen Drake, 76, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, June 9, 2015. A native of Hampton, Virginia, he was the son of John R. and Verna Jones Drake, from Littleton, NC. He graduated from Hampton High School in 1956 where he was Co-Captain of the football team, basketball team and baseball team lettering in all three sports. He attended the Newport News Apprentice School, New Port News, Virginia where he excelled in athletics and academics. He graduated from the Virginia Apprentice School in 1961 as a Coppersmith. He worked in New Port News, Virginia, at the shipyard for the New Port News Ship Building Company as an apprentice until 1974. From there he moved to Jacksonville, Florida to work for Westinghouse / Tenneco Off Shore Power Systems, supporting the Floating Nuclear Power Plants program over the next 14 years. He next moved to Aiken, SC in 1988 where he continued working for Westinghouse at the Savannah River Site as a Maintenance Engineer. He retired from the Savannah River Site in 2002. He enjoyed traveling, fishing playing golf and spending time with his family and friends. He was a member of the Aiken Golf Club, and a devoted member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Aiken, SC. He was also a past President of the Aiken Lions Club and current Lions Club Secretary. "Poppy," as he was known to his family and friends was deeply committed to loving and supporting them in their daily lives. In his retirement, he and his devoted Golden Retriever "Spencer" could be seen riding around town taking in the sites from around town. Ironically, Spencer passed away two weeks ago. Both will be missed immensely. Dalma was married to Sonja Boswell Drake, of Hampton, Virginia for 31 years. Survivors in addition to his sister, Barbara Jean Montoya, Smithfield, Virginia, a nephew Edward Montoya (Tina) New Kent, Virginia, Wendy Arthur (Hank) Smithfield, Virginia, include two daughters, Susan Drake Ledbetter (David), Seffner, Florida, Bonnie Drake Hudson (Steve), Aiken, SC and one son Jeffery Richard Drake, Tampa, Florida. Also six grandchildren, Adam Ledbetter, Alexandra Ledbetter and Shannon Ledbetter, Seffner, Florida, Justin Richard Drake, Tampa, Florida, Morgan Kristina Hudson, Seneca, SC and Cameron Michael Crowe, Aiken, SC. The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support during this difficult time. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. There will be a celebration of life for Dalma on July 18, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Aiken, SC. Family and friends are invited to attend. After Mass, there will be a small reception at Woodside Plantation. Please come and help us celebrate this very special person's life. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Aiken Lions Club, PO Box 3271 Aiken, SC 29802 The Historic George Funeral Home, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234) in charge of arrangements.