Bennie Drayton

Bennie Drayton, Jr., 88, of Parsons, passed away at 5:39 p.m., Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at his home.

He was born on March 23, 1934, to Bennie and Amy (Wiley) Drayton in Clay, Louisiana.  As a child, he moved with his family to Parsons, where he had lived since.

For many years, Bennie worked in fiberglass at Charloma Inc. in Cherryvale.

Bennie enjoyed fixing things in the family home and working in the yard.  Sharing his knowledge about tools was one of his favorite things to do with his grandchildren, who he adored.  Eating hamburgers and French fries and watching basketball, especially the Lakers and Bulls, were favorite pastimes.

In August 1968, Bennie and Katie Stephens were united in marriage.  She preceded him in death on January 26, 2016.

Survivors include:

One daughter-in-law and caregiver – Susan Stephens of Parsons, Kansas

Four grandchildren – Naisha Stephens, Rico Stephens, Alicia Stephens, and Germicca Davis all of Tulsa, Oklahoma

Twelve great-grandchildren – Dinesha Stephens, Xavier Stephens, Darren Walker, Jr.; Darreyon Walker, Morgan Stephens, Ivan Davis, Germani Davis, Germari Harris, Geordon Davis, and KyRan Davis

One sister – Kathleen "Patty" Drayton of Chicago, Illinois

One sister-in-law – Roberta Drayton of Rockford, Illinois

One brother-in-law – Charles Stephens of Wewoka, Oklahoma

Three nephews, who Bennie raised – Sam Robinson, Clarence Ashley Alberty, and Keshaun Anderson

A host of nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by his wife, Katie; one son, Nathaniel Stephens; three brothers, Huey Pierre Drayton, Raymond Drayton and Lonnie Drayton; and six sisters, Elsie Brown, Mildred Edna Osborne, Elma Drayton, Georgia Hicks, Johnnye Marie Grant, and Jimmye Jones.

The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 10, 2022, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home of Parsons.