Joyce Marlene Drummond

Joyce Marlene Portis Drummond, 89, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Saturday, October 18, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving children, niece, and canine companion.
Joyce, "Marlene" to close friends and family was born in 1936, Zanesville Ohio to Richard Cecil and Sally "Olivia" Portis. She was the fourth of eight siblings. Marlene graduated from Zanesville High School in 1954. She went on to study at Central State University graduating in 1958 with a degree in Elementary Education. Marlene pledged Alpha Kapa Alpha her senior year. While at Central State she met her future husband Herbert Ernest Drummond, from Washington D.C.
After teaching elementary school for 26 years, in the communities of Cleveland, Yellow Springs, and Groveport Ohio, Marlene decided to pursue a Masters Degree in Education. She earned her Masters from the University of Dayton in 1985. She retired from the Groveport Madison School district in 1993.
Herbert and Marlene married July 5th, 1959, in Richard and Olivia's home. They had three children, Michele, Michael, and Marcia. They divorced in 1984. Grandma, Nana, or Mama was one of the roles that Joyce cherished. She was blessed with two grandchildren, Donovan and Zoe, from the marriage of Michael and his first wife Jane. She was also a third grandparent to Bella Jackson, granddaughter of close family friends. "Aunt Marlene" loved her many nieces and nephews, it wasn't uncommon for her to allow one to stay with her in Reynoldsburg while they attended classes or worked in the area.
Marlene was known for her excellent cooking; her Parker House Rolls were especially loved by all who tried them. She was an avid reader who enjoyed mystery novels. Bowling with a 15# ball was one of Marlene's recreational pastimes. Anyone who spent time at Marlene's home knew that she was a sports fan, whether it be the Buckeye game, the Browns, or Bengals, plus an occasional baseball game she could be found watching. Most of all she loved her classic Western TV shows. Late in life when her macular degeneration prevented her from reading, she listened to audio books and listened to old Gunsmoke episodes.
Marlene is proceeded in death by her parents; Richard Cecil and Sally Olivia Rogers Portis, brothers; Richard "Dickie" (Loraine) Portis, Charles R. "Buzzy" Portis, sisters; Gloria (Richard) Singer, and Sue Tate. She is survived by daughter Michele (Ben Collman) Drummond, Michael (Greta) Drummond, and Marcia Drummond, Grandchildren; Donovan and Zoe Drummond, Sisters; Sally Cook, Barbara (Tom) Caliman, and Sherry Small. Seventeen nieces and nephews, and Countless Cousins.
In leu of flowers please consider making a donation in honor of Marlene Drummond to your local American Red Cross, Public Library or charity of your choice.