YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValley Tributes) – On Monday April 12, 2021, angels descended from heaven to lead Deacon Wilbert M. Drayton to his heavenly home.
In late fall, Wilbert M. Drayton was the first child born in the Harvey and Hattie (Dunlap) Drayton union at the former St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio.
As a young boy, Wilbert was educated in the Youngstown Public School System, where he attended Grant and Monroe Elementary and Hillman Junior High Schools. Wilbert graduated from South High School in 1969, where he played sports. Soccer and Athletics and the South High School Choir. It was also in his senior year at South High School that Wilbert met the love of his life, Linda L. Morgan, and she finally met her three years later on March 8, 1972 in a beautiful and intimate wedding with family and close friends in New married Bethel Baptist Church, which he and his family attended. From this union three children were blessed to call him “father”. After graduating from high school, Wilbert attended Youngstown State University and graduated from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy.
South High School Alumni Honors
Wilbert was an accomplished, enthusiastic, and hardworking worker. He was often employed in several companies and held several jobs at the same time. Wilbert worked for US Steel McDonald in McDonald, Ohio, Copperwell in Warren, Ohio, and US Steel in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. Wilbert also served for 19 years at the Juvenile Justice Center, the Mahoning County’s Sheriff’s Department, and Mill Creek MetroParks, where he retired after 22 years. He was a temporary cop at Youngstown State University, a clerk at Campbell Memorial High School, and a cop at City Hall in Youngstown, Ohio for over 20 years.
While Deacon Wilbert Drayton held many positions and wore many hats in bondage, he was known for his “service” and for helping others. He could often be found in conversation with young people (young women and young men) in order to help them to recognize and to know that they can and can be more than they think or more than others lead them to believe. He told young men to be “gentlemen” as they treated young women, and young women to behave like “ladies” and never allow themselves to be disregarded by young men.
Deacon Wilbert Drayton’s service life, however, was not only seen and felt in his places of work, but extended to the church of which he was a member – Mt. Calvary Pentecostal Church. Wilbert was baptized in the name of Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit on November 26, 1977 on the mountain. Calvary Pentecostal Church. Deacon Wilbert Drayton served in various capacities within the mountain. Calvary. His love for music and his vocal skills led him to be part of the concert choir for many years.
However, his love and passion for young people led him to act as the head coach for the mountain’s Sons of Thunder Little League football team. Golgotha after coach Paul Pegues and coach William Crockett no longer served in this capacity. Wilbert enjoyed working with and talking to young people. He enjoyed serving and helping with Mother Edith Wallace for several years at Youth Renaissance, and he was Head of the Department of Security until his transition. He served on the official board of trustees for Mt. Calvary Pentecostal Church and was recently promoted to deacon.
Deacon Wilbert Drayton loved God, loved his family, and helped others, especially young people. He loved to cook and was known for his “famous chili” and even won awards for its taste. He also enjoyed barbecuing, debating, shopping (for clothes for his wife and himself), and traveling. Deacon Drayton was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and LA Lakers. Deacon Wilbert Drayton will always be remembered as “Chef Wilbert and a master grill”.
Deacon Wilbert Drayton goes to preserve his memory, his 49 year old love Linda L. Drayton; his children, Andre L. Morgan, of Youngstown, Ohio, Demond M. Drayton, and Katrice L. Boudrey, both of Campbell, Ohio; nine grandchildren he raised, Kaziah and Kaleb Boudrey of Campbell, Ohio; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Harvey Drayton from Maryland and Gary Drayton (Cynthia) from Atlanta, Georgia; a sister, Carolyn Drayton, of Youngstown, Ohio; and a variety of nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends.
His parents preceded him in death.
A tour will take place on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. LE Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home and go through the mountain on Thursday, April 22, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Calvary Pentecostal Church. Private services are only offered to families.
Due to the pandemic, all guests are asked to wear masks and observe social distancing. For the health and safety of everyone, we ask guests not to linger in the funeral home or church after the visit.
To send flowers to family or plant a tree in memory of Deacon Wilbert M. Drayton, please visit our Flower shop.
A TV tribute will air Tuesday April 20 at approximate times: 6:43 a.m. on WYTV, 9:32 a.m. on WKBN, 10:58 a.m. on FOX, and 8:12 p.m. on MyYTV.
