Cora Bell Hardy Drew heard the call of Jesus to receive her heavenly reward on Monday, May 29, 2023.  She was born on September 7, 1939 in Lawrenceville, VA to the late Annie Hardy Marrow and Benjamin Hardy, Sr.

Cora was reared and educated in the Newport News Public School System.  She was a member of the class of 1957 from Huntington High School.  Cora married Carnell Drew in September of 1962 and they welcomed their daughter Cheryl D. Drew  in October of 1963. She was employed at Chase Packaging, Inc, where she retired after years of service.  After retirement, she volunteered in the Newport News Public School System in the Foster Grandparent Program.

Cora was a loving, kind hearted and generous woman.  She would do whatever she could for anyone.  She enjoyed helping others, whether it was offering a ride to work, to the grocery store or providing work for those who were in need.  Cora enjoyed cooking, baking, preparing and sharing meals with friends and family who came by for a visit.  She was known for making her special chicken salad, deviled eggs, and gherkin pickles in the summer and a hearty soup in the winter for the finance team.

Cora was a founding member of Gethsemane Baptist Church, Newport News, VA.  She loved her church family and her pastor.  She faithfully served as an original member of the finance team and sang proudly in the senior and transformation choir.

Cora was greeted in heaven by her Parents and Siblings, Virginia Porter and Benjamin Hardy, Jr.; In-Laws, Alice Chapman, Mozilla Drew, Nancy Banks, Linwood and Ernest Drew; Nephews, Conrad Porter, Jasper Banks.

Left to cherish her Mother's fondest memories are her daughter, Cheryl D. Drew and the of father of Cheryl, Carnell Drew. rembering joys are her siblings, Lorenzo Hardy (June), Queen Esther Marrow, Cecil Marrow, Jr., Curtis Brodnax, Sr. (Chris);

In-Laws, Yvonne Little (William); Nieces and Nephews, Anita Hardy Stewart (Dominic, McKenzie, Siobhan), Juan Hardy, Evie Warren, Stacey West (Leah Geeston-Enum), Remington and Mia Porter, Jeffery and Donovan Birdsong and a host of other relatives, family and friends.

Viewing will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  Thursday, June 8, 2023 at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel, 1601-27th Street, Newport News, Va. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m.Friday, June 9, 2023 at Gethsemane Baptist Church, 5405 Roanoke Avenue, Newport News, Va. Interment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens.