Mary E. Drew

Mary Elizabeth Drew
March 11, 1933 – April 9, 2026

Mary Elizabeth Drew (née Pugh), affectionately known to all as “Shug,” transitioned from this life on April 9, 2026, at the age of 93. Surrounded by and cradled in the love of the children she raised, she leaves behind a legacy of faith, strength, character, and a vibrant, "country classy" spirit. Born on March 11, 1933, in Suffolk, Virginia, Shug was the daughter of Mary Wright and Dinks Pugh.

A woman of deep resolve and a tireless worker, Mary’s hands were rarely still. Her career path took her from weaving fruit baskets at the old "Butter Dish" factory to a long tenure as a line butcher at Smithfield Foods. Following her retirement, she continued her life of service as a home health aide, bringing a unique brand of care to her clients with a special attention to detail that only Shug could provide.

A devoted servant and a lifelong member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mary was a fixture in her family church since childhood. Over the years, she was a studious participant in Sunday School Class 2 and, as long as she was able, an active member of the Willing Workers Committee (also known as the Awareness Club). Until her passing, she held the distinction of being one of the two oldest living members of the congregation.

In 1950, Mary married Melvin Isaac Drew, Sr., with whom she shared 40 years of marriage. While she famously preferred the garden to the kitchen, she took immense pride in her home, maintaining it with a "spit shine" dedication. She was an avid flower gardener with a deep love for all things green, an occasional crafter, and a dedicated thrift store shopper with a flair for finding hidden trinkets and treasures. She was a woman frugal in means but remarkably generous in spirit; never seeking the spotlight, she played the background so those she loved and supported could stand up and stand out.

Mary was a "core memory creator" of the highest order. Whether it was heading to High’s Ice Cream parlor after Sunday service, allowing a grandchild a cup of coffee way before their mama would’ve allowed, or teaching them how to master a hot glue gun, Shug had a knack for making the ordinary feel magical. Though her life was rooted in her community, she moved with the flow of life, even collecting a few stamps on her passport along the way. She possessed a childlike, innocent spirit that lasted until the day God called her home to play in His gardens of paradise. From researching home remedies for any ailment to dubbing the perfect nickname for a little one in her care, "Aunt Shug" was the heart of her family—the one they knew they could depend on to come through.

The life of Mary Elizabeth offers us all lessons in quiet wisdom: keep God and family first; uphold loyalty and duty; and favor love and compassion whenever possible. She was the epitome of simplicity and resilience—accommodating to all, yet steadfast in her convictions, and always with a hint of sass when the situation called for it.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Sr.; two of her children, Melvin Isaac Drew, Jr. and Sandra Drew; her parents, Mary and Dinks; and her siblings Virginia, Lucy, George, and Sarah Pauline.

As the family bids farewell to their matriarch, this honored role passes to her sole surviving sister, Catherine. Her memory will be cherished by her surviving children, Surnease Drew and Derrick Drew (Maria); five grandchildren, Avonda (H. Imani), Rontrell Boone, Zori, Zoë, and Zűlýmon; four great-grandchildren, Shaheed, Jennah, Iyanli, and Ashanti; and three great-great-grandchildren, Khehli, Kanai, and Kairo. She also leaves a vast host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends to honor her memory.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 3p.m.-6p.m. In the Melvin Blowe Chapel of Crocker Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be held at 12 Noon, Friday, April 24, 2026, at Oak Grove Baptist Church. Ms. Drew will be laid to rest in the church cemetery. Professional services with compassion, dignity, and care have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc.