Joann Elizabeth Drum, 89, of Olin, N.C., passed away on Saturday, February 24, 2024.
Growing up on the family farm in Olin, she was the first of six daughters for James Leland Vanstory and Mina Lois Arnold Vanstory (Both dearly departed.) Joined by her sisters, Mina Williams, departed 2001, Ethel Crowley, departed 2023, Ruth Schauer of Erie, Pa., Betty Dobson and Donna Vanstory, both of Statesville, N.C.
After Harmony High, already a beautiful young woman, talented on the piano and sewing machine, and farm girl extraordinaire, she becomes a city girl. She wins the heart of her true love and begins her life as the wife of Paul Raymond Drum on January 28, 1956. Paul was born and raised in Charlotte, N.C., as were their daughters, Kimberly Joann Drum Dewberry of Charlotte, Diane Elizabeth Drum Dowell of Denver, N.C., and Peggy Lois Drum of Olin. She is also survived by her favorite brother-in-law, Keith Dobson, and son-in-law, Lee Dowell.
An employee of Southern Bell/Bell South, before and after raising their girls, her life was filled with faith, church and family. She had five grandchildren, Joshua Paul Dewberry (wife Kara), Adrienne Kimberly Dewberry, Zak Roddey (wife Lisa), Tucker Leland Dowell, and Jared Raymond Drum. Returning to her roots, after retirement, Paul and Joann moved back to Olin and built their home In the country. Sadly, the family lost the handsome and wonderful, husband, daddy, and pawpaw in the spring of 2008.
Joann loved being back on her tractor and keeping in touch with lifelong friends with breakfast sessions at IHOP. She talked baseball with Tooty, racing with Hovis, and football with anybody. Her best place was the breakfast nook with her eggs and crispy bacon, watching the birds in her yard of bird feeders, and chatting with Jared. She also enjoyed coaching from the stands with Adrienne at the Panthers home games. Joann’s head of shining white hair, along with that smile of hers, always sparking the twinkle in her green eyes, just made you happy she was there. She will always have a special place in our hearts, As we know, we did in hers. We let her go to her forever peace, with all our love.
Behave, Mom.
I wish we could share one more dessert.
A visitation for Joann will be held Thursday, February 29, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home, Statesville, N.C.
A funeral service will occur Friday, March 1, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 2727 Mt Holly-Huntersville Road, Charlotte, NC. A burial will occur Friday, March 1, 2024, at Olin United Methodist Church Cemetery, Olin, N.C.
Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is serving the family.