Charles Emery Crayton, Jr., 91, of Hayes, VA, passed away at home on December 20, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. He was born March 8, 1929, in Salisbury, NC to parents, Charles and Beadie Crayton. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Tokyo, Japan. After his service, Charles worked at Newport News Shipbuilding as a Sheet Metal Supervisor, retiring with 42 years of service. Some of his favorite things to do were working in his yard, riding his lawnmower, fishing, and best of all, watching his birdfeeder from his favorite green chair.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Riley and Ronnie Crayton, and sisters, Evelyn Walls and Elizabeth Martin. He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Sammy Crayton; daughter, Vickie Crayton Foley (Andrew); son, Gary Neal Crayton (Rhonda); sister, Carolyn Costa; grandchildren, Andrew, Patrick and Matthew Foley, Gary Crayton, Jr., and Michael Warren; and seven great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of his life will be held on Monday, December 28, at 2:00 p.m. at Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601. Burial will follow the service at Peninsula Memorial Park. COVID restrictions will be followed, including wearing facial masks and social distancing. To view live-streaming of the service, visit www.peninsulafuneralhome.com/video.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkview Church of God, 1116 Briarfield Road, Newport News, VA 23605 or The American Lung Association, www.lung.org/.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home.