Robert Arthur Drayton Sr., a son of the late Dorothy J. White and Roosevelt Drayton and the stepson of the late Joe White Sr., was born on Jan., 3, 1946. The Lord called him home to rest on Monday, May 26, 2003, in Obici Hospital.

He was employed with South Norfolk Trucking Company for 15 years.

Robert was the former husband of Connie P. Drayton of Suffolk, and the father of seven sons, Darrell Davis, Rodney Drayton, Kevin Drayton, Eugene Boone, Robert A. Drayton Jr., and Andre Drayton Sr., all of Suffolk; and Jonathan Saunders of Hampton; two stepsons, Mark Hunter and Quinton Hunter, both of Suffolk; three daughters, Lisa Silver, Mechelle Drayton and Andria Drayton, all of Suffolk; three sisters, Francis White, Nanie P. Williams of Suffolk and Evangelist Dr. Rosa L. Williams of Portsmouth; three brothers, Joe White Jr. of Newport News; Rudolph L. Bailey of Surry; and Albert L. Knight of Suffolk; one son-in-law, five daughters-in-law, two brothers-in-law; one sister-in-law; 25 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a special friend, Dianne Knight of Suffolk; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. in New Mt. Joy Worship Center. Interment will be in Holly Lawn Cemetery.

Viewing will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in T.E. Cooke-Overton Funeral Home.

T.E. Cooke-Overton Funeral Home is handling arrangements.