Bishop Eugene Drayton
May 19, 1920 - December 26, 2016
Obituary
Bishop Eugene Drayton, of Longview, Texas, received his Heavenly wings on December 26, 2016 at the tender age of 96, in the comfort of his home in Seattle, WA.
In 1957, Reverend Drayton relinquished a twelve year career with the United States Postal Service to develop a supermarket called Volume Food Basket located in the central area of Seattle. The following year, as a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church, he answered God’s call to the ministry and became Reverend Eugene Drayton. He was licensed under the guidance and teachings of Reverend Samuel. B McKinney.
In 1960, Pastor Drayton began an outreach ministry, “that would reach all nations and races of people,” and founded Zion United House of Prayer. He was ordained Bishop Drayton in 1966 serving as overseer of eleven churches.
Bishop Drayton’s vision of a private school that would afford great learning opportunities for those not likely to obtain them was realized in 1982 when he successfully founded Zion Christian School otherwise known as “The Miracle on 32nd Street.” Zion Christian School was later renamed Zion Preparatory Academy.
He was a beloved husband to Mother Coreather Drayton for over 57 years, and a father to eight children. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from United Theological Seminary for outstanding work in ministry and community in 1993 and completed his Doctorate of Divinity from the Bishop A. L. Hardy Academy of Theology in 1995.
Bishop Drayton was a veteran of the United States Army, serving the country in World War II. He was involved with multiple organizations including the Parent Youth Camp, Boy’s Village, Women’s Aglow, SOIC (Seattle Opportunities Industrialization Center), Volume Food Basket Grocery Co-Op, Fellowship Trumpeteers, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, and many more.
Honors include Senate Resolution 8645 enacted on April 3, 2001 by Washington State Senate recognizing Bishop Drayton’s outstanding achievement in dedicating his life to helping Seattle’s underprivileged and minority youth. He recently received the 2016 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Visionary from the Mountaintop Award for all he has accomplished within Seattle community.
Bishop Drayton lived out his later years as the pastor of Zion United House of Prayer, presiding bishop to numerous churches along the west coast, and made a magnificent impact on the Seattle community as the founder of Zion Preparatory Academy.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at New Beginnings Christian Fellowship with Bishop A. L. Hardy of Seattle, WA, officiating. Arrangements are made by Bonney-Watson Funeral Service.
The family of Bishop Drayton wishes to extend sincere gratitude to all family and friends for their love and support during this time.
Mother Drayton, Drayton Family Both Near and Extended. Papa was dearly loved, first by God and then most definitely by us. I will never forget what he’s done for the Matthews Family and I’m here to say Thank you to you and well as having said Thank you to him the last time I saw him. He told me that he was praying that God would heal him from his physical malady and now He has. He no longer has to worry about things on this sin-sick earth, Praise the LORD. I do not believe that Papa is gone from us, I believe that he is just “resting in the Bosom of Jesus.” God Bless you, I will be praying for you and for us because love just doesn’t go away, When time passes and some memories fade the love will always remain. In His Name. Joyce M.
My sincere condolences to Mother Drayton and family on the passing of their beloved husband , father and grandfather. Bishop Drayton was a true leader in our community. My family will always be appreciative that Bishop Drayton’s vision for a school was realized. This school assisted my sons to bridge that rocky divide between elementary school and high school. Bishop Drayton’s presence in Seattle will be missed. P. N
Much love to you Mother Drayton and family as we celebrate the home going of another magnificent and great light! Pastor has received and accepted the ultimate external party invitation we all are striving for. Just think of all the wonderful guest gone before that have welcomed him in with King Jesus as the most honorable host! As MC Hammer once said “You can’t touch this!”
Blessings
My sincere condolences to Mother Drayton sister Liz brother Doug and the rest of the family I thank you for the love and compassion that you have shown to my family for years and the bishop is going on but his legacy Zion prep Academy reproduces good fruit for years and years to come my sincere love.
God has wiped away all your tears.
Do sad to hear of the passong of my first cousin.Very sad day for. Me.