Clayton Othieus Drake

Clayton O. Drake was born on September 1, 1922 in Wilson, North Carolina to Clayton O. and Catherine Drake.  His family moved to Durham, NC for some time and then to Miami, Florida where he started school at four years old (in Florida children could start school at four).   In December 1927, just after the birth of his sister Esther, the family moved to Cuba where his father worked for a contractor building asphalt roads.  Clayton remembers enrolling in school there and that his sister learned to speak Spanish, before she could speak English.

In 1932 the family moved back to Wilson NC, and after a few years eventually made their way to the Gilmerton area of Chesapeake, VA.  Upon the death of his father, Clayton left school at age 12 to help his mom take care of the family by delivering lunches she prepared.  Clayton later got a job working with a contractor at the creosote plant, putting cross arms on power poles and later learning to connect the wiring.

 Clayton served in the army from March 1943 to November 1945 where he was assigned to the 149^th Field Artillery Unit, in Fort Clark Texas. From Texas he was transferred to Camp Crowder Missouri where he continued training and doing power system wiring work there, in Liverpool England, and also during his assignment in Metz France with short trips to Belgium and Germany. 

After leaving the military, Clayton moved back to Norfolk where he lived with his mother in-law, wife, and two children, Berthenia and Colbert.   Initially he got a job at the Naval Air Station but ultimately it was the Navy Yard that gave Clayton his career opportunity.  He was blessed with three additional children: Clayton, Clifford and Cherryl.  He worked in the Navy Yard as an electrician until retirement in 1982.  After retirement he worked for Norshipco.

Clayton rededicated his life to Christ at Christ Temple Interdenominational Church where, upon the death of the pastor, he and other brothers of the church led the congregation until a new pastor was found.  Clayton came to Bethel, where his daughter, Berthenia was a member and found complete satisfaction and love in the Bethel Church family. 

 Clayton loved to travel and visited his sister in New Jersey as often as he could and was able. He loved football, talking politics, jazz, and encouraging others to stay focused while going after their dreams.  He enjoyed life to its fullest and wanted everyone to do the same.  He loved God and spoke about him often to everyone. He shared how he made it through his years because of God’s love, grace and mercy.  His message was simply ‘Trust God’.

Clayton is predeceased by his parents Clayton and Catherine Drake, his wife Mary S. Drake, his 4 eldest children Berthenia D. Cromwell, Colbert, Clayton and Clifford Drake and grandson Reginald Basnight, Jr. 

Clayton leaves to cherish his life-Daughter-Cherryl D. Belton, Sister-Esther Smith; eight grandchildren-Harves Brown, Jr.(Elania), Tracey Jefferson(Andre), Kimberly Drake, Kevin Drake, LeMain Jackson, Che Jackson, April Drake and LaVar Drake (Litisha) as well as a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, daughter-in-love Linda Jackson, and friends.