Elizabeth Carolina Drayton

We honor and rejoice in the life and legacy of Elizabeth Carolina Drayton. Elizabeth was first and foremost a Family Member and Matriarch and she leaves her daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, and friends to grieve the loss of her love and presence.

Elizabeth was born on November the 11th, 1930 to David and Lillian Carolina, in the Sugar Hill section of New York City. She is one of seven children, and is survived by her sisters Dorothy Watson and Lucille Story, and her brother Clifford Carolina. She is the mother of 3 daughters, Pandora Flythe, Valerie Drayton and Michelle Drayton-Robertson. She is grandmother to 4, Dawn Flythe Moore, Marissa Smalley, Earl Stanley Flythe and Alexandre Robertson, and great grandmother to 6, Trenton Drayton Smalley, Earl Leonitus Flythe, Mia Elizabeth Winell Moore, Bryce Flythe, Asha Elizabeth Smalley, and James Moore.

Elizabeth was a renaissance woman, an adventurer and risk taker. As an Army wife to Stanley Clifford Drayton she first lived in New York City where she had her first daughter Pandora. She then traveled to Anchorage, Alaska by Army Ship with only her then first born small daughter, where she had her second daughter Valerie. Her last stop was an Army Base in San Francisco, California where she had her third and youngest daughter, Michelle.

After having her 3 girls, Elizabeth returned to New York City with her family and went back into her profession as a Communications Specialist. Elizabeth worked with TCB Answering Service which was founded and owned by Radio DJ Eddie Ojay of WBLS, NYC. Additionally, she worked as Ward Secretary at Park East Hospital and at Chase Manhattan Bank in Money Transfer. Elizabeth's final position before going into retirement was with her daughter Michelle, founder and owner of Today's Child Magazine and Communications. However, she never stopped working. She continued working in to her 80’s as a Poll worker. Having always been civic minded, Elizabeth participated in the historical 1963 March on Washington for Jobs for Freedom, along with her father. She came full circle in seeing a dream come true, when as a Poll worker during 2008 Presidential election she joyfully worked to usher Barack Obama in as the first African-American President of the United States which she counted as a victory for hope and dignity as well as God’s Blessing for America.

Ever the adventurer and traveler, after raising her 3 daughters and sending each off to college, Elizabeth continued to travel extensively always with her family. She traveled to Jamaica, which she adored and made several trips to, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico for her granddaughters wedding, as well as Aruba which she felt was one of the most beautiful places on this God's Earth.

Above all what best defined Elizabeth was her love for her children and family. She was passionate about her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews as well as her siblings, whom affectionately referred to her as "Sister." Even her beloved mother called her "Sister, " As well as some of her closest friends. As a mother she was always encouraging, providing a quiet and resolute strength. She set her expectations high for all of her children and family, one of her favorite phrases was “Raise the bar. " She wanted nothing less than the best from and for her family.

She continually encouraged her children to do better, be better! Being ever the intuitive, fiercely independent and a swift minded woman that she was, Elizabeth encouraged each of her daughters to blossom into who they were meant to be. She would often say that each child was different and she respected and nurtured those differences. When needed though Elizabeth, a leader by nature, would flash her magnificent green eyes on you as a subtle reminder to you to get your act together, or get a grip or when pleased those eyes would sparkle with love, laughter and gratitude.

Elizabeth made each family member feel like each time she saw you, you were a sight for sore eyes or that you had just made her day. Often telling her daughters after perhaps only a few days apart "it's good to see you." Always with an affectionate word for family and friends she would often refer to you as Lovee or Angel . Elizabeth was forever grateful always letting you know that she appreciated whatever you did for her however little it may have been, inspiring you to want to do more, to love more, to love better!

Elizabeth knew full well the virtue of gratitude, so much so that she kept an Angel book logging how grateful she was for the angels on earth that she interacted with. Always, her heart and arms were open with love and gratitude. Always her children felt loved and appreciated.

As a result, of her love and encouragement each of her children are accomplished in their own right. A teacher, Finance Specialist and health care director. Above all no matter what profession was chosen it was most important to her that her children become well-educated. Elizabeth accomplished that goal and passed that legacy on to her grandchildren who all graduated from college and are accomplished in their own rights as well. Her legacy continues and she remains in the hearts and souls of all her knew and loved her.