John Thomas Drew, 66 of Eden, passed away November 4th, 2013 after a courageous battle with cancer.
John was born in England. ?Ǭ†He spent his working career in the tobacco industry starting with an apprenticeship at Molins in England. ?Ǭ†John retired from Brown &Williamson Tobacco in Macon, Ga. and later?Ǭ†from Imperial Tobacco Corp. (formally Commonwealth Tobacco) of Reidsville, NC.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom Drew and Iris Wing Drew.?Ǭ†
John is survived by his wife, Faye Yockman Drew; daughters Paula McKinley (Will) of Hillsborough, NC and Wendy Brunick (Greg) of Burlington, NC; three step-sons, Eric Gilstrap of Albany, Ga., Joshua Gilstrap and Brock Mason, both of Macon, Ga.; a sister, Lyn Eggleton, two brothers, Richard Drew and Tony Drew all of ?Ǭ†England; numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.?Ǭ†
A gathering of Family and Friends to celebrate John?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s life will be held Thursday from 11 a.m. till 1 p.m. at the Morehead/Fair House next to Fair Funeral Home in Eden. Casual attire is recommended, as this is what John would have preferred.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rockingham County Hospice or to the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com
I am so sorry for your loss. John was a great person to work with. He will certainly be missed.
Sandra Harris
I am very sorry for the struggles that John had and for his death. I pray that the family will feel the strength of God's love during this time.
Jenny Davis
Faye and Family:
Please know that our prayers and thoughts are with you during this time of grieve. May God provide strength and peace to each of you. Please call on us if you need anything.
Andrea Earles and the HR Team at Commonwealth Brands, Inc.
ANDREA EARLES
Our hearts are sad to lose our good neighbor John. We have many memories of John. Everytime we walk the beautiful trail in the woods that John and Faye created we will have John in our hearts. Our thoughts are with all of the family especially Faye.
Margaret Way
To all of Johns family, my deepest condolences. John was a hilarious man, he was smart, he was kind, and always very polite. I had the honor of meeting him through Josh Gilstrap, his stepson, who always had wonderful things to say about him, he was very respected and loved. It was an honor to meet John and I know he is at peace, and free from pain, enjoying a cigar he loved so much. You all have been lifted up in prayer and I hope that peace finds you in knowing there is no more pain for him. Faye, I know you will find comfort in your poems and feel him all around you daily. To his daughters, you both seem to be strong reflections of him and his kindness. A pleasure meeting you. To Brockster <3 stay strong and remember all the wonderful advice he gave you and the good times.
Love,
April
April Venable
Dear Faye...We so enjoyed our times with you and John and we pray for you now and in the days to come.
Deede & Tom Hinson
Rest In Peace John,may you hit 100 straight in the big skeet field in the sky,i will miss you and the fun we had together on the skeet field.
Roger Haney
A life well lived by a good friend but taken from us far too soon.Our sincere condolences .John and Arlene Hiemstra Caledon,Ontario,Canada
John Hiemstra
Faye,
I was so sorry to hear of John's passing. He has been a very special part of my life since coming to Commonwealth 3 years ago. He is a very special person and will be missed but his memories will live on for me. I am sorry that I will not be in town on Thursday as I am traveling with Ben Hoskin in the Dominican Republic this week. He and I are switching places in the program so that he can be there. Please let me know if there is anything that I or Commonwealth can do during this time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ken Barnwell
We are so sorry to hear of John's passing, and pray that his family will find comfort now and in the days to come. We enjoyed meeting him on a few occasions, and know that he will be greatly missed by all those close to him.
John & Carol McKinley
John & Carol McKinley
Faye and family, We are so sad to hear of John's passing. John was a super guy and I have great memories of working with him at B&W, especially when we implemented the new maintenance system. John fought a courageous fight to the end and now he can rest in peace. My prayers are with you all during this very difficult time.
Randy & Connie Langford
Dear Faye,
Recently you lovingly said that though John may be loosing his colors his brilliance would never fade. You spoke of his wonderful wit and humor, his remarkable strength of character, the honest and fair shake of his hand. You and I talked about the beauty in John's way of being with his illness and how he bravely and strongly engaged his illness in ways that absolutely surprised us. In his very gracious journey in and through it, he discovered and refined things in himself that he could never have anticipated. He made out of his illness the most incredible masterpiece in terms of the healing he brought to his own spirit and to others though his physical illness could not be reversed. John further blessed his family by turning his illness toward the light where his heart was colored by an even deeper gentleness.
Faye, I'll always remember how John's love for you "was like the dawn brightening over your life, awakening beneath the dark a further adventure of color." You sparkled with wonder at his shimmering loving. I will forever thank him for loving my sister in his marvelous way.
All blessings. Jo Ann
Jo Ann Knapp
The world lost a good Man Rest in Peace John. Faye and family our prayers are with you in this time of sorrow.
Van Gough
A Haiku for John's Beloved Faye and for his Families:
feeling very sad
as our John died yesterday
may he rest in peace
Love and Hugs to All, Jo Ann and Steve
Jo Ann and Steve
Faye know that you and your family are in our prayers. The times I was around John he seemed like such a wonderful man that enjoyed life. His suffering is over; I pray now that you find peace and rest. God Bless You.
Debbie Deeb
Debbie Deeb
Very sorry for your loss. The news of John's passing comes as a shock. I worked with John at Lorillard Tobacco Company for what seemed like such a short time. One of the nicest and fun people to know. I'm sure he will be terribly missed. My prayers are with the family.
Lydia Goode
Faye I am so sorry to hear of John's battle and passing. I know first hand this is a hard road. But God will take you and comfort you. My prayers go up for you and the family.
Shirley Gilland
Faye, I am so sorry for you & your family. I wish we could have been closer, so I might have known John. I'm sure he was a wonderful man. Love & prayers. Holly
Holly Kessler
Faye- Keeping you and your family in my prayers during these difficult days.
LeRuth Sisson
John was a true lifetime friend and he will always have a special place in our hearts. Faye and family, you are in our prayers because we know you are hurting. May the Lord wrap his arms around you and give you comfort as you move forward. We are only a phone call away for you!
Herbert & Lynn Chilton
Faye, My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you. John was an enjoyable person to be around. He brought smiles to many faces. God Bless you and all of John's family.
Rita
Rita Schrader
Wendy, I hope you find peace knowing that so many care right now about your loss. We love you. Marshall and Donna
Donna Pettigrew
The world has said goodbye to a good, honest, brave and respected man who we are proud to say was our brother and brother in-law.
Hoping he was wrong in his beliefs and he can look down with "Tom and Iris" to show them his caring family who helped him with his courageous battle . Our thoughts and hopes are that you can all reflect on his straight forward win attitude , remember him but continue to enjoy your lives as I know he would want you to.
Richard and Paulinp
Richard and Pauline Drew
Remembering my dear brother John and all the good times we had when we were young.
I will miss you very much and think of you always.
With love and affection, your sister Lyn x x and Robert
Lyn Drew
So sorry for your loss. I am so thankful for having the pleasure of knowing him,as his hairstylist, and friend. He always made me smile and laugh at all of his funny stories.Especially,the one about burning the tires off the Audi at Virginia National Speedway. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Melissa Hammett
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