Obituary of Hattie Drew

Hattie Lee Drew was born on March 20, 1923 to the late Gracie Williams and Lee Black in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was raised by her aunt and uncle, the late Flonnie and John E. Mayes. She attended schools in Charlotte, NC and the D.C. Public Schools. Hattie and Louis Drew, Jr. were married in Washington, DC and shared a life for over 55 years until his sunset in June 2008. They were blessed with two children: Marilyn F. Drew Thomas and Lawrence Edward Drew. She joined the Jerusalem Baptist Church in Georgetown after marriage and subsequently moved her membership to Trinidad Baptist Church where she served as treasurer of the Helping Hand Club. In later years, Hattie and Louis supported their son-in-law's ministry at St. John CME Church, and then they joined Israel CME Church in Washington, DC. Professionally, she was a domestic worker for most of her life, and she had the gift of hospitality where her home was a warm gathering place for family and friends. She and Louis always welcomed the friends of their children and neighborhood children. Hattie developed a close bond with her daughter's in-laws, and she treasured the close bond between the Thomas and Drew families. Peggy Thomas and Hattie often travelled together. She had a close bond with her grandchildren and was especially close to her grandsons as they assisted in her care in the later years. Hattie and Louis recently moved to Rochester, New York to live with their daughter, Marilyn and son-in-law, Rev. Weldon Thomas. They established a close relationship with their new church family at the New Bethel CME Church. Hattie had a special relationship with her late in-laws Louis Drew Sr. and Roberta Drew, Mary Louise Kingsberry, and Ella Mae Barbour; and she adored her first grandson, the late Jamal Kareem Drew. Her loving family will always cherish her memory and include: daughter, Marilyn Drew Thomas (Rev. Weldon G. Thomas), Lawrence E. Drew (Diane); grandchildren: Kanika R. Tolver (Byron), R. Kayeen Thomas (Monee), Kyesha H. Drew, Daniel Weldon Thomas; great-grand daughters, Jada S. Harris and Zion Sari Thomas; sister-in-law: Ethel Lee Richmond; nephews & nieces: Thomas Richmond, Jr., Linda Turner, Shelia Richmond, Ronald Richmond, Tracy Webb, and a host of extended family and friends including the River Terrace community, in Northeast, Washington, DC. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the New Bethel CME Church Scholarship fund.