Arlevia G Drew

Arlevia G. Drew was born July 31, 1945 in Fredrick, Oklahoma to Roger Gill and Pauline Heads-Gill.

Later she moved to Kansas City, Kansas with her father and went to Grant Elementary, Northeast Junior High and graduated from Sumner High School Class of 1964. She did two years pre-med at KCK Community College, Kansas University, University of Kansas Medical Center and received her Bachelor's degree from Rockhurst College in Business Administration and Industrial Relations in Business Law. She also received her Masters degree from Baker University in Professional and Graduate Studies BSM. She also received her cosmetology license, barbering license and cosmetology instructor's license. She was big on education always encouraging her children to not only have one outlet for survival but several.

She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized later in life at Good Samaritan Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri. She was a faithful member until her health began to fail.

Arlevia met and married John Shields and one child, Monica was born to this union. Later that marriage was dissolved. She also married Chester Williams and to this union one son, Jamil Williams was born. That marriage was also dissolved. She then married Paul Drew and no children were born to this union, he later passed away.

She joined organizations within her employment, the Harvey Girls, was an organization created by a waitress that worked for Fred Harvey who opened a number of lunchrooms, restaurants and hotels for western railroad travelers, and events for the children in the city and fundraisers for different groups. She was also in a social club called the Pioneers that met weekly.

From 1964-1969 she was one of the first blacks to work for Security National Bank. From 1969- 1970 she was employed with ITT Continental Baking in Kansas City, MO. From 1970-2009 she was employed with Santa Fe Railroad until she retired in 2009.

She was preceded in death by her mother, grandmothers, grandfathers, husband, Paul Drew, her son, Jamil Williams, brother, Jessie Dillard and Sister, Sharon Dillard.

Her Heavenly Father called her from this earthly life to her heavenly reward on Tuesday, October 30, 2018.

Arlevia leaves to cherish her loving memories her daughter, Monica Washington; her loving grandchildren, Danielle Washington, Rashad Washington, Charles Robinson, Jaliyah Wash, and Ayanna Covington; great grandchildren, Ra’Nya Washington and Jersiah Wash; siblings, Maryann Dillard, Rufus Dillard, Jr., Ann Sheilds, Irene Dillard, Janice Johnson, Elgin Dillard, Lisa Kennington and Earl James Dillard; along with a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.