Burness George Drew

Burness George Drew, known to most as “Drew,” was born on March 22, 1945 to the late John and Emma Drew. Raised in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, he attended public schools in Rutherford County. He entered into eternal rest on Sunday, May 11, 2025, surrounded by family. He is preceded in death by siblings, Ella Mae Allen and Michael Wayne Drew, Sr.

At an early age, Drew confessed a saving faith in Jesus Christ. He joined Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Smyrna. He later joined the Temple Church, under the leadership of the late Bishop Michael Lee Graves. There, he served faithfully as an usher and assisted at the Samaritan Ministries. Many years later, he joined Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Lascassas, Tennessee, under the leadership of Rev. Freddie B. Carpenter. He proudly sang with the Male Chorus until his health began to fail.

Drew enlisted and served in both the Army and Navy. After his military service, Drew’s professional career included being an over-the-road driver. He also became an entrepreneur, operating a well-established janitorial business that served all of Nashville.In a former relationship, Drew was blessed with two children, Sazon and John. He enjoyed being a father and a grandfather.

For the last 21 years, Drew was married to his soul mate, the former Sherrie Gilchrist. He captured her heart when on their first date, they rode jet skis. From this union, he proudly gained a bonus daughter, Tori.

To know Drew was to appreciate his soft-spoken nature, sense of humor, endless support, and loyal friendship. He met no strangers as everyone was drawn to him. His smile brightened any room in which he entered and brought great joy to darkness. His compassion knew no boundaries. As a cool “OG,” he always sported a cap. He enjoyed playing cards, traveling, riding motorcycles, TSU football, and old school R&B music.

Drew’s life, love, and legacy will be cherished by his devoted wife, Sherrie Drew; daughters, Sazon Caruthers and Tori Ford; son, John Gooch, Jr; grandchildren, Kenneth (Barbara) Counts, Shauntanique (Derrick) Counts-Ferguson, Jayla Betts, Jeffrey Betts, and Tiffany Gooch; sisters, Emma (Ed) McHaney, Alice (Ford) Bailey, and Rebecca Dyer; mother-in-law, Jacqueline Gilchrist; brother-in-law, Melvin (Elisa-Ruth) Gilchrist; sisters-in-law, Shelia Gilchrist and Mary Drew; other relatives and friends, especially special friends, the Cummings, Covington, and Tindall families.