Drexel Backus

Drexel Lee Backus --- affectionately known to family and friends as Drex --- was born on August 3, 1962, to Lisha Mae Backus and the late Joe Lee Backus in Sellers, South Carolina. He was the third eldest of nine children. During his early years, he moved with the family to Washington, D.C., where he grew up. Drex was a proud Washingtonian, and he lived most of his adult life in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. He recently relocated with his wife to Pikesville, Maryland. On March 5, 2022, the Lord called Drex home. He passed peacefully at the Gilchrist Hospice Center in Towson, Maryland following his brief battle with liver cancer. Drex received his early education in the District of Columbia public school system and went on to complete his General Education Diploma (GED) later in life. He worked for many years at Claxton Seafood located in Southwest DC until transitioning to work in the warehouse and transportation industry. After many years of driving box trucks, he fulfilled his childhood dream of earning his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL-A). As an over-the-road truck driver, Drex provided for his family and lived his dreams. Over the past seven years, he traveled to 46 of the 50 states in this country. Drex was a fun-loving person who enjoyed life and cherished family. He loved spending time with his mom and siblings at family gatherings, talking about cars and joking around with his brothers, and eating crabs with his sisters. Family meant the world to him, and he was always known to protect them at any cost His bond with his brothers and sisters was unshakeable, and he adored his nephews and nieces. Drex had a special bond with many of them, so much so that his second eldest nephew David was like his own son, and he was like a second dad to his brother’s four children --- Tamekia, Lamekia, Shamekia and Rakeem. Some of their kids lovingly called him “Uncle Granddad.” In 2012, Drex met the love of his life, Sonya Wilson. On March 30, 2016, they were united in holy matrimony and their “fur baby” Pearl later joined the family. In 2017, after much consideration and conversation with his wife, he led her together with himself to join the Alexander Memorial Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. He loved going to Adult Sunday School, serving as a greeter, and participating in the men’s and marriage ministry activities. Above all, Drex loved the Lord, and he knew that the Lord loved him. Drex and Sonya packed decades of love and living into their nine years together. They enjoyed many adventures together. With his wife (and dog when possible) by his side, Drex traveled to oceans, mountains, lakes, valleys, and everything in between; went fishing; played pool, mini golf and arcade games; sang karaoke; explored small towns and big cities; went to local shows and festivals; visited historical sites; went to Broadway musicals; and traveled the country in the big rig. Drex had a kind, easy-going personality that put people at ease and made them want to know him more. He brought joy to almost everyone who crossed his path, and they loved him for it. Drex had such a way with words that he was known in the neighborhood, Precha. With that gift of gab, he could sell ice to an eskimo. Drex’s greatest passion was for cars, music, fishing and driving tractor trailers. His love of music touched everyone and was most influential to his brother, Sarge. Drex was known to always be looking for that perfect ride, and over the past five years, he was blessed to own two: a 2003 gold Cadillac STS and a 2011 diamond white Cadillac DTS. His most secret love was for playing the guitar. In his teens and early twenties, he was the lead guitarist for a neighborhood band and a local band. He got to play some of his favorite R&B and rock tunes, like the Isley Brothers and Hotel California by the Eagles. He was even honored to play his rendition Prince’s Purple Rain.

Tributes

Drexel Backus

August 3, 1962 - March 5, 2022