Obituaries

With humble respect, Sewell Mortuary in Grantville announces the transition of Lessie Drummond on Wednesday, October 7th, 2020.

Graveside service will be October 12th, 2020 at 12:00 PM at Oak Hill Cemetery in Newnan Ga.

Visitation is Sunday the 11th, from 1 to 4 PM at Sewell Mortuary.

Mrs. Lessie Rebecca Catlett Drummond was born October 29, 1926 in Gloucester, Virginia to John and Edna Catlett. She was the youngest of ten children. That would be the last time she would be last in anything she pursued.

In September 12, 1941 she married Robert Thomas Drummond. From that union Robert and Lessie produced four beautiful daughters: Barbara Sandra Drummond, Marvel Ann Drummond, Janice Eleanor Drummond and Shellie Dogan Drummond.

While in Virginia, Lessie as very involved with Sandra and Marva’s education at T. C. Walker. She was the president of the P.T.A. and the head dietician. She organized fundraisers that involved basketball tournaments between the teachers and the parents.

As the family grew, Ma convinced my father Bobby, we needed to move to New York. First my oldest sister Sandra and we soon followed. We lived with Mom’s oldest brother Ben and Aunt Ruby. We discovered another of our mother’s talents. She had a beautiful voice that was discovered and the talent agency offered a contract. She would have to travel with the band. She declined. She wouldn’t leave her three daughters and husband. She did domestic work for a while, bringing home yamakas and Jewish food.

We moved into our own house but returned to Port Chester every day because we still had jobs there. Next, she worked at a large mental institution where they loved her so much. She would bring patients home to spend the weekend. Our Lessie always had room in her heart for one more. She also regularly invited bums to our back porch and she provided dinner.

As the family grew and both parents had two jobs. We mostly ate together on Saturday mornings and Sunday night. Mrs. Drummond was an excellent cook and my father was too. Some of the happiest times in our house was when they cooked together in the kitchen.

Mom continued to perform now and then but she always had bigger ideas. She rented out the back of Eddies Palm Garden and opened a restaurant. She had two teen aged waitresses, Joy and Janie. She ran midnite brunches for co-workers. She didn’t have a menu. Whatever she cooked, that’s what she sold. She allowed a single mother with a lot of kids to pay her once a month for food for her kids.

Next she drove a private school bus and became a Kosher butcher. Wherever she worked and left, she made new friends. One other talent emerged. She was a good dancer, if she had the right music. She was brave and she was fearless. Ma saw Mr. McClain being stoned while Shellie was with her. She stepped in and her little Shellie escorted Mr. McClain home.

There’s not enough paper to tell her whole story. She was never dull. Just being her authentic self was enough. She comforted many who knew her.

This strong, beautiful woman leaves behind two daughters, Janice and Shellie. But also grandchildren from all four daughters. Barbara Sandra Drummond: Her children, Douglas, Desiree and Anthony; Great Grands, Niya and Tierra; Great Great Grands, Henry and Presence. Marvel Ann: Her children, Yolanda, Roddrick, Robert; Great Grands, Dalina, DeAndre and D’Asia; Great Great Grands, Sianni, Zipporah, Hathor, Zaynah, Zenia and Melina; Great Great Grands, Elijah and Elias. Janice and Howard: Child, Brandon – David and Issa. Shellie: Her children, Michelle and Paul, Joseph, Rebecca; Great Grands, P. J., Kiara, Mykee, Jessie and Rayne.

She’s a hard act to follow. Just be comforted by the fact you knew her all. Lessie Rebecca Drummond walk on to glory. “We Got You Putz.