We're here today to remember Joseph Von Drayton and to honor his life.  Joseph Von Drayton was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina on November 19, 1966 to Daisy Drayton and the late Herbert L. Drayton, Sr.

As we all know, there were things that Joseph couldn't do. He couldn't walk or talk. He couldn't do many things other people take for granted every day.  When some people looked at him, that's what they saw- things he couldn't do.  But that's not what we saw, and that's not who he was.

When his mother, father, and family looked at him, they seldom saw what he couldn't do.  No, they saw the many things he could do. He could smile. He could laugh. He could feel happiness.  He could love without condition. He could show love without ever saying a word.  Not everyone has those abilities.

There are people who have so many blessings that Joseph never had, and yet don't appreciate those blessings. They have good health but take it for granted.  They can walk but they don't know which way to go. They have arms but they can't use them to reach out to others. They can speak but they don't know how to tell others they love them.

That wasn't a problem for Joseph.  He could express his love with a look, with a smile, with a squeeze.  He could communicate his needs with crying or fussing because he knew his family would come and help him.  Love isn't only shared through words.  Love is much deeper than words.

Joseph gave us a gift of unconditional love.  Unconditional love is loving even when it hurts, even when it's not easy.  It's loving because you simply can't help but love.  And that is the greatest triumph of any life, to love and be loved.  Joseph taught us how to love without words, without limits, without reasons.

Joseph was a gift to each of us.  May we never forget this beautiful gift.  And may we honor his memory every time we look up to the sky, look past the clouds and see the rainbow.

Joseph went home to be with the Lord on Friday, January 27, 2023 at Presbyterian Novant Hospital, Charlotte, North Carolina.

He leaves to cherish his fond memories: mother, Daisy Drayton, of Charlotte, NC; two brothers, Herbert L. Drayton, Jr., and Cleet Drayton, both of Charlotte; two sisters, Dorothy Cathey (Anthony), and Brochel Douglas (Lamont), both of Charlotte; nieces and nephews, and other relatives.