Ezra B. Drum

Ezra B. Drum
'Stump'
NEWTON -- Mr. Drum, 86, of Newton, passed away Thursday, April 28, 2011 at Abernethy Laurels. Born on September 25, 1924 in Catawba County, he was the son of the late Ivey Bowman and Ada Lee Drum. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Newton where he held numerous positions. He was considered 'chief cook and bottle washer.' Mr. Drum was a World War II U. S. Army Air Corps veteran, serving as a pilot flying 31 missions in the European Theatre. He was a former board member of the Catawba County Historical Association and a charter member of the Board of Directors of Bandy's Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Drum owned and operated Balls Creek Salvage Company and was a member of the Automotive Dismantlers & Recyclers Association and a member and past president of North Carolina Salvage Dealers Association. He enjoyed playing bridge with the DEK Bridge Club for over 50 years and had a passion for gardening.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Jessie Reid Shelton Drum; son-in-law, David W. Autry Sr.; and a sister, Trilby D. Warren.
He is survived by a daughter, Michaele Drum Autry of Cornelius; a son H. Shelton Drum and his wife, Linda, of Charlotte; brothers, Hayes Drum and wife, Earlene, of Sherrills Ford, Tony Drum and wife, Karen of Mt. Holly; sister, Glenna Sherrill of Newton; grandchildren, Will Autry, Sarah Autry, Olivia Gray and husband, Drew, Christian Drum and wife, Sara, Enola Couture and husband, David, Shelley Drum, Winslow Drum; great-grandchildren, Christian, Henry and Charlotte Gray, Faith, Ethan and Catherine Couture.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday May 1, 2011 at First United Methodist Church in Newton with Rev. David Greene and Rev. Laura Greene presiding.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. in the Gomedala Room prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Kitchen Renovation Fund, PO Box 926, Newton, NC 28658 or Catawba County Historical Association, PO Box 73, Newton, NC 28658.
Condolences may be sent to the Drum family at www.drumfuneralhome.com.
The Drum family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Conover, NC.