Danny Stanton

Bishop Designate, Overseer, Pastor, Father, Confidant, Counselor, Friend

Danny Lee Stanton was born on January 20, 1965, in Erie, Pennsylvania to the late Vera Mae Crawford and the late Isaac Blanks. He was the stepson to the late Will Crawford. He transitioned to higher ground on May 25, 2022.

He started his preaching ministry under his spiritual father, Bishop Jesse N. Gavin, Pastor and Elder Sandra Gavin, of Greater Calvary Full Gospel Baptist Church.

At the timing of his transition, he was under the divine covering of Bishop R. J. and Pastor Patricia Burt of Greater New Birth Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Pastor Stanton served as Overseer of the State of Pennsylvania and interim Chief of Protocol for Grace International Fellowship, Milwaukee Wisconsin.

He graduated from Mercyhurst Preparatory School, Erie PA, attended Devry Institute of Technology in Columbus, Ohio, and served honorably in the United States Air Force.

On January 20, 2008, he was called to pastor the GREATEST church this side of heaven, The Friendship Baptist Church is where he was able to begin to give his heart to community initiatives. He dedicated his time to health and wellness activities such as the Body and Soul Healthy Eating and Living Program, Wear A Scrub, Get a Career Youth Program, HIV/AIDS Awareness activities, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, Go Red Heart Program, Check Change and Control Blood Pressure Program and mentoring young men.  He also served at The Eagle’s Nest School Of Academic Distinction encouraging, guiding, and coaching students to improve academically and behaviorally.  

Bishop Designate Stanton had an innovative approach to ministry regarding reaching the secular communities.  If you have ever heard his testimony, you would know that he did not want to be a preacher, ask to be a preacher, and ran until he couldn’t run anymore.  No matter what people thought of him in the world, had to say about his calling, nor the fear that comes with being a preacher, he stopped running and gave his life to Jesus.  Yes, he answered God’s CALL.  He understood the world because he was in it. So, when he needed to reach the secular community, God chose and equipped him to attend to their dying souls. He surrendered his life to Christ June 3^rd, 1993, during the Levite Brotherhood Conference at the Greater Calvary Full Gospel Baptist Church and was then told that if he had not surrendered, his life would have been snuffed out within days and he never looked back.

His sole mission was to spread the gospel to as many people as he could with love and understanding.  As Paul wrote to Timothy, he also studied to show himself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

He will truly be missed by all.  When he left your presence, you either felt loved or knew you were in trouble. He was direct and straight forward with everybody. Even in his reprimand, you knew he wanted you to know Jesus and to follow in his footsteps.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in rest by two infant children, sisters Ida Mae Stanton and Betty Jean Glenn, brothers Will Crawford III and Kenneth L. Blanks.     

He leaves to cherish his memory his childhood sweetheart the beautiful, saved, spirit-filled Lady Elaine Stanton who was his dedicated wife and friend for the past 33 years. His daughter, Courtney Nicole Stanton, Columbus OH, Delia Brown, Philadelphia, Pa, son Daniel Lee Stanton of Erie, two granddaughters, Charlee Rae Daisy Gavin, Columbus, OH and Heavenly Bibbs, Yokosuka, Japan.

He also leaves to cherish in his memory many siblings Patricia (Ricky) Steele, Tonia Stanton, Winnie Leggett, Thelma Blanks, Marie Blanks, Irene Blanks, Joe Blanks (Mary), Minister Billy Blanks Sr., (Tomoko), Raymond Blanks Sr., (LaShawn) CMDCM Retired Charles Blanks (Barbara), Willie Blanks (Lori), Stevenson Blanks Sr., SFC Retired David Blanks, Sr. (Stacy), John Blanks and Michael Blanks, Carolyn Williamson, Lamont Crawford and Johnnie Lee, Andrea Wallace. God children LaToya Hollingworth, Jasmine Johnson, Nikita Moore, Ashley Blakeman, Jocelyn Grayson, Zion Vaughn, Jesse Micah Samuel Vaughn, Rodney Payne Jr., Jalen Duck, Christian Michael Gordan, Anya and Aliya McCullum, and a special cousin Norma Larkin, one Aunt Lula Mae Thomas, his first friend Kevin Sykes, a special niece Robyn Raquel Rodgers of Milwaukee, WI special daughters Felicia Graham of Erie, Pa., Sabrina Hightower and a special granddaughter DaNajah Hightower all of Milwaukee WI and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Friends are invited to call on the family Wednesday, June 1, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Celebration of Life Service at 6:00 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church 1719 Cascade St, Erie, PA 16502. A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 2, 2022 at Grace Church 7300 Grubb Rd, McKean, PA 16426. Burial will follow in Erie Cemetery. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Service Inc. Downtown 602 W. 10^th Street, Erie.

Send Condolences to www.BurtonQuinnScott.com