Feb. 2, 2004 — A memorial service for Deanna Jo "Dee" Drake will be held Feb. 8 at 11 a.m. at Secret Harbor Beach where her ashes will be spread. Drake died Jan. 30 at the age of 56.
Deanna was born at Fort Meade, Md., and was the daughter of Army veteran Otis Elton Williford. She is survived by her mother, Dorothy Giffin-Willliford; husband, Terry Drake; daughter Christy Lynn Miller-Joyce; and sisters Sandy Wood, Susan Delich and Janet Fahey.
Deanna had established a successful career as a legal secretary in Kansas City until her appointment to the Wyandotte County Court Systems of Kansas City in 1980 as Supervisor of Court Transcriptions. In 1985 she founded Miller Transcription, which specialized in delivering electronic court transcripts on a daily basis.
She was married to Terry W. Drake in 1991 and sold her business in 1993.
The couple moved to St. Thomas in 1996 and established many long-term friendships. Deanna was also an accomplished artist, as is her husband. Both had water colors and oils of local scenes displayed at Bela Bleu (formerly Alexander's Café) in Frenchtown.
Deanna's last wish was that there be no flowers but instead donations be made in her name to the Humane Society.