Leroy Drayton, Sr.

United States Army Retired 1st Sergeant Leroy Drayton, son of the late Lucille and Paul Drayton, Sr was born on December 19, 1954.  He answered his final call from duty on Monday, May 8, 2023. 

He attended school at Orangeburg Wilkinson High School and after graduation began his career with the United States Army in 1973.  His first assignment was with the 79th USA Artillery Detachment Unit in St. Louis Missouri as a Pershing Missile Crewman.  During his military career, he was issued several medals and awards multiple times to include the National Defense, Meritorious Service (2 times), Army Commendation (4 times), Army Achievement, and the Army Good conduct medal awarded 7 times.  He retired after diligently committing to 20 years of Service on February 29, 1996.  After his retirement from the US Military, Retired Army 1st Sergeant Drayton continued his career with the South Carolina Department of Corrections where he was employed for 15 years. He served as a leader and a mentor exhibiting his experience from being a drill sergeant in an attempt to rehabilitate those incarcerated.  He received several honorable and meritorious awards.

He was joined in Holy Matrimony to the late Gloria Jean Drayton, and to this union, two children were born.

Retired 1st Sgt Drayton enjoyed working on cars.  He was proficient with all makes/models because he would purchase books to ensure he repaired them properly.  His skills were exhibited in his workmanship. He was committed to fitness and worked out at the gym daily.  He was a mentor and role model to everyone and set high standards as it pertained to dignity, self-discipline, and respect. He enjoyed communication via telephone with his siblings on a consistent basis. His unselfish dedication to his coworkers and friends did not deter him from maintaining his spiritual faith and being a family man, loyal husband, and the epitome of a good father.  Even though he left the Army, the Army never left him.  He was a man of Dignity, Character, and Respect and his legacy will continue through his children, his family, and his friends.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Evelyn Richburg and his brother, Paul Drayton Jr.

He is survived by his two loving devoted children, Tereasa Nicole Drayton and Leroy Drayton, Jr., one granddaughter, Naky’ja Dawkins, all of Columbia, SC; three sisters, Pauline and Bobby Jean Drayton, both of Orangeburg, SC; and Luella (Jeff) Hill of Decatur, GA.; two brothers, David (Frances) Drayton of Orangeburg, SC; and Prince Albert Drayton of Columbia, SC; one sister-in-law, Sylvia Johnson Jamison of Columbia, SC; two brothers-in-law, Gedell Johnson, Jr. of North, SC; and Randy (Cynthia) Johnson of Columbia, SC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends all of whom will miss him dearly.