Joseph Drayton Sr.

Joseph Drayton, Sr., a retired Gadsden County educator, passed away quietly on Sunday, October 12, 2104 at his home in Quincy, Florida. A Family viewing will be held at Greater Tanner Chapel AME Church in Quincy, FL on Friday October 17 from 5-7 PM. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at 10:00 AM at West Gadsden High School, 200 Providence Road, Quincy (Greensboro), FL. Burial will follow at Sunnyvale Cemetery, with repast at Greater Tanner Chapel. Joseph was born in Quincy, FL on October 4, 1944 to Essie Mae Drayton and Freddie Peoples, Sr. Educated in the public schools of Gadsden County, Joseph was a member of Carter Parramore High School class of 1962. Joseph received his B.S. Degree in Social Sciences from Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, FL and completed further studies at Florida A&M University. In 1967, Joseph began a long career in the Gadsden County Schools, teaching for 42 years. Joseph loved football and was an assistant head coach for the Greensboro High School Bulldogs and later for the West Gadsden High School Panthers. He coached football for over 22 years. In addition to football, Joe coached junior varsity basketball and little league softball. When not coaching football, Joe rooted for the Washington Redskins. Mr. Drayton was a member of the Greater Tanner Chapel AME Church for over 50 years. At Tanner, Joseph was a trustee, class leader and served on the usher board for many years. He loved early morning church services at Tanner. Joseph is survived by his wife Cynthia Dixon Drayton, to whom he was married for 33 years, his children Joseph Drayton Jr. (Pamela) and KaTina Thompson both of Riverview, FL, LaKeisha Brown Souter (Marcus) of Bowie, MD, and Jalisa McClure of Tallahassee, his grandchildren Monty and Brandon Byrd, Kanilah and Miles Thompson, Kenya Drayton, Kayanna Drayton and Kyle Drayton, and Emmanuel Souter and Eden Souter. Also leaving to cherish his memories are his siblings: Nettie Tribue, Verrester Zeigler (Elyon), Daisy Peoples, Freddie Peoples, Jr., David Peoples, and Robert Peoples, and special cousins: Annette Smith, Thelma Rittman, Marian Little, and Willie Saucier (Carolyn), Mother-In-Law Lillie Mae Dixon, and a host of other godchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.