Ella Letitia Drew

If you see a brighter star in the constellation today it is because ‘Ella’ entered eternal life August 27, 2023. Ella has the purest soul and was always so compassionate and effective in helping people and animals. Her sensitive and caring nature made life on this Earth difficult for her at times, but she certainly rose to star quality and was thriving and happy when she departed.

Ella, our beautiful daughter and sister we miss every day. A beautiful flower-orange-bright-radiant. She beats to a different drum. Energy of spirit and emotion, in tune, feels the energy of life-music-nature-art. Seeking love and peace. Intelligent with people and animals. Soft heart for the weak and downtrodden, ready to help. Strong spirit when toughness is required when a stand is to be made. This is our Ella.

Ella loved her family and friends deeply. She showed this in her artwork and written words she gifted to us. She has left us with these treasures as well as the spirit of her wit and contagious sense of humor which was often spun from her ability to ‘keep it real’ with a splash of sarcasm and stubbornness.

As an amateur astrologist, her knowledge of the Zodiac signs character traits would entertain family members on many occasions.

Ella was born March 5, 1998, which is governed by Pisces most known for their compassion, creativeness, kindness and emotional intelligence—Ella to the core as shown in her helping the elderly, pet rescues, beautiful paintings, creative writing talent and her uncanny ability to ‘read’ people.

Ella attended West Virginia University and was considering furthering her education with a Master’s degree in writing. She loved her job at Emerald Point Care Center in Asheville. She left us too soon due to complications from surgery.

Ella is survived by her loving parents, Julian Shannon and Mika Letitia Gibson Drew of Raleigh; Beloved brother, Julian(Jules) Gibson Drew and wife, Amy of Raleigh; Grandfather, Thomas Drew, III of Raleigh; Grandparents, Letitia Elliott Patrick and husband, Paul Guddat of Raleigh; Grandparents, Ronald and Brenda Chappell Gibson of Raleigh; Uncle, Thomas Drew, IV, and wife, Sheila of Rocky Mount; Great Aunts, Gayle Bradley of Chesterfield, VA and Twila Drew of Angier; Cousin, Elizabeth Drew Evans and husband, Ben of Durham; Cousin, Christopher Drew and wife, Rachel of Loveland, Colorado; Beloved boyfriend, Joey McMahon of Wilmington; Beloved rescue dog ‘Rook’ and many more relatives and friends.

Ella was preceded in death by her Great-Grandmothers, Michael Letitia Elliott, Violet Chappell, Emma Shannon and Ella Drew; Grandmother, Nancy Shannon Drew; Grandfather, Jerry Patrick; Great Aunts, Ruth Guill and Katherine Shannon DeVenny; Great Uncles, Dempsey Bradley and Maynard Guill.

A visitation prior to the service for Ella, will be held Thursday, September 7, 2023, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Hayes Barton United Methodist Church, 2209 Fairview Rd., Raleigh, NC 27608, followed by a Celebration of Life Service beginning at 2:00 PM, at Hayes Barton United Methodist. Interment will follow the service at Raleigh Memorial Park, 7501 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh.

Please consider a donation in her honor to Saving Grace Animal Rescue https://savinggracenc.org/, 13400 Old Creedmoor Rd., Wake Forest NC 27587, (919) 518-1180 and Foundation of Hope, https://www.guidestar.org/profile/56-6246626 , 3108 Glen Royal Rd., Raleigh NC 27617, (919)781-9255.

Service arrangements are provided by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's St. Raleigh, NC.