Maria Ann Pyles Drews

Maria was born in Atlanta to Holmes Edmund Pyles and the late Julia Ann Carter Pyles on June 29, 1955. Her early years were spent in Decatur, where she was a graduate of Shamrock High School. She spoke often of childhood memories with her grandmother, Mary Frances Carter, and family in Walnut Grove. She married her husband, David Drews, on April 20, 1974 in Decatur; eventually raising two children, Rod and Julia, in Atlanta. She had a remarkable career in banking; working in numerous roles with National Bank of Georgia, Prime Bank, Lennar, Premier Bank, and for nearly two decades with BB&T, before retiring as Senior Vice President of Operations. She was an active volunteer with her church Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and Pace Academy where her children attended both Elementary and High School. She also was a passionate volunteer serving on the Board of The Woman’s Auxiliary of Piedmont Hospital as Treasurer, Finance Chairman, and chaired the 2016 Piedmont Ball. She deeply cared for all her colleagues, friends, and family - cherishing each luncheon, conversation, and life moment. She orchestrated years of life events at Lake Hartwell laughing, playing, and enjoying the company of others. She loved camping with her family at Camp Rodman. Her greatest passion though, was being Nana to her five beautiful granddaughters. Each one a unique testament to her lasting legacy.

Maria Drews was preceded in death by: her mother, Julia Ann Carter Pyles; father-in-law, John Herman Drews; nephew, Cory Michael Drews; and sister-in-law, Judy Drews Marek.

Maria is survived by her husband of nearly 45 years, David William Drews and their two children plus spouses: Rodman and Laurice Drews of Sugar Hill; and Julia and Patrick Aland of Jacksonville, Florida. She is survived by her father, Holmes Edmund Pyles of Dunwoody, and siblings and spouse: Vicki P. and George Hutchinson of Covington; and John Pyles of Marietta. Surviving in-laws: Willie Rodman Drews of Chester, South Carolina; Gary and Donna Drews of Greenville, South Carolina; Nancy D. and Lovick Evans of Roswell; and Dr. Todd Marek of Seneca, South Carolina. Her most precious granddaughters also survive her: Braylen Drews, Ella Drews, Charlotte Drews, Collins Aland, and Hadley Aland. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other family and close friends.

A visitation with the family will be held on Monday, April 8, 2019, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at H.M. Patterson and Son - Oglethorpe Hill Chapel, 4550 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30319.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service, officiated by The Reverend Dr. Bill Britt and assisted by The Reverend Jimmy Moor, on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at 3:30 p.m. at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, 3180 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30305. Please join the family for a reception in Grace Hall, celebrating the life of Maria, immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Woman's Auxiliary of Piedmont Hospital: (404) 605-3273

1968 Peachtree Road NW

Atlanta, GA 30309