Drayton Oliver was born in Lyons, GA, and has lived within four miles of his birthplace his entire life. Oliver grew up and worked on his family’s farm; he graduated from Lyons Senior High School in 1973. He attended Brewton Parker College and Georgia Southern University before pursuing farming in his mid-20s. He then worked as a Supervisor of Shipping at Oxford Industries, Lyons, GA, from 1982 to 1995. From 1995 to 1997, he worked with the State of Georgia as a Manager of Surplus and Supply in Swainsboro, GA. Oliver then settled into his career at Tumi Luggage Inc., Vidalia, GA, spending 20 years working his way up from Shipping Manager to Director of Distribution; he retired in 2017.

Drayton Oliver is serving on the Lyons City Council having been sworn in January 2024. Before this, he served on a previous city council in Lyons, GA, for a term of four years. Oliver became a Master Mason in 2017 and belongs to Lyons Lodge #49. In the past, he has served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Lyons Recreation Department and the Lyons Zoning Committee. During his earlier years, he was an active member of the Lyons Jaycees serving in many roles including president.

He has been happily married since 1992 to Lisa Morris Oliver, a retired educator teaching 31 years in the area. They have a daughter, Dr. Darby Oliver, who is a veterinarian in Dunwoody, GA. Lyons City Councilman Drayton Oliver is a Baptist and firmly believes in God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

“I want to be a liaison between residents, city employees, and the city council. I will work to help Lyons grow and prosper while concentrating on city beautification projects.” – Councilman Drayton Oliver