Elizabeth Shea Drummond

Elizabeth Shea Drummond passed away peacefully on June 10, 2017 at the age of 90. She was preceded in death by our family’s other contributions to the Greatest Generation including her husband, James F. Drummond Sr. and siblings Nancy Shea, Arthur “Spike” Shea (the late Joan Shea), and Marie Shea. Survivors include her children James F. Drummond, Jr. (Allison Jones), Margaret Anne Drummond, Arthur Shea Drummond (Terry), Elizabeth Drummond Kulesa (Alex), John M. Drummond (Amy) and Daughter-in-Law Anne Quinlan. “Gran” was blessed with seven grandchildren—Greer, Mary, Rachel, Maggie, and Will Drummond along with Alex and Jack Kulesa. She was also known as “Aunt Tiney” to her five nieces and nephews and ten great nieces and nephews of the Shea families and her dear Walsh cousins.

Mrs. Drummond was born on November 21, 1926 to Elizabeth and Arthur Shea. “Betty” Drummond was a life-long Memphian who is in the St. Agnes Academy Hall of Fame (Class of 1944) and a 1948 graduate of Southwestern (now Rhodes) College where she was president of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. Betty’s cherished marriage to “Jimmy” Drummond commenced in June of 1951 and lasted until his passing in 2006.

Somehow Betty managed to balance her career as an educator with the Memphis City School System with her primary role as a loving Mother. She was also active in the community with various activates. Betty championed the rights for the mentally ill in recognition of her beloved daughter Anne’s struggles and triumphs with that chronic illness and served as the president of the Memphis Chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. A devoted Catholic, Betty and Jimmy were among the founding parishioners of St. Louis Catholic Church and School. She also was a loyal participant in the Madonna Circle for many years.

Betty will be deeply mourned by all who remember her good humor, grace and devotion to those she loved. Our family is truly grateful for the care Mrs. Drummond received from Vanessa Beal and other members of the Parkview staff as well as the St. Francis Hospital and Crossroads Hospice medical teams.

Visitation will be in the Narthex of St. Louis Catholic Church at 9:00 a.m. on Friday June 16 with a funeral mass to follow at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make memorial gifts to the National Alliance for Mentally Ill, Saint Agnes Academy or another charity of your choice.