Drew H. Chillious Jr. was born on October 7, 1921, in Macon County, Georgia, to Drew Herman Chillious Sr. and Theola Marie Herndon-Chillious.The family moved to Hamilton Ohio when Drew was an infant.  Drew’s Mother, Theola passed away when he was only 3 years of age. Drew’s grandparents, The Bishop Walter Herndon and Bernice Herndon adopted Drew and his sister Catherine and raised them. Drew also had two other sisters Nira Chillious, and Lagoria Chillious both of Cleveland Ohio that he loved and adored,  Both are deceased. Drew graduated from Hamilton High School in 1940 where he excelled in sports, track and tennis.  Drew furthered his education attending Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland State University.

In 1942, Drew met June Constance Holder, born July 17, 1925, at her seventeenth birthday party. The two soon fell in love and became inseparable. They would build a loving foundation of love around family, home, and community. He was a man of great integrity, high value, and an empathic nature that allowed him to touch many people and change many lives.

Drew was drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1944, and following training camp, he and June were married on October 14, 1944. After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, Drew held several positions, including work in the steel mills and at a mortuary on Fairhill Avenue. In 1953, he began his lifelong career with the Cleveland Transit System, later known as the Regional Transit Authority. Throughout his 35 years of dedicated service, Drew served as a bus driver, field supervisor, training instructor, and ultimately as Chief Training Instructor, retiring in 1988.

In 1947, Drew and June moved to the Lee-Seville neighborhood, where Drew became actively involved in community building. When they moved to E. 174th Street in 1957, the couple became strong advocates for their neighborhood through the Lee-Seville Area Council, earning numerous civic awards for their leadership and commitment. They remained in that cherished home until Drew’s peaceful transition surrounded by loved ones on October 17, 2025.

Drew was an avid jogger and could be seen running 4 miles daily around his beautiful community that he so much loved until he was 85 years old. At doctors urging, he had to stop jogging for safety reasons.

A gifted pianist, Drew filled his home and the hearts of his loved ones with music. Drew was the pianist for the world-renowned Townsend Orchestra, until he founded his own band, The Drew Chillious Trio. His family will forever remember the joy of hearing him play, especially for June, whose presence he continued to feel through the photographs displayed near his piano.

Drew’s 104th birthday, celebrated at the family’s forever home on October 7, 2025, was a moment of laughter, hugs, and gratitude as a testament to a century of love and strength.

Together Drew and June built a beautiful life and family, blessed with six children:

Dwight Joseph, Diane, deceased 1947, Beverly Lana, deceased, Drew III,(Patricia) Kenneth Allen, (Roxanne) and Kevin Anthony. (Cynthia)

Drew and June leave behind four living children and two deceased, along with a legacy of love and family.

They are survived by eleven grandchildren:

Brian Dwight Frierson (deceased), Toni Michelle Chillious-Johnson, Daryl Michael Frierson, Kenneth Allen Chillious Jr., Keith Alan Chillious, Crystal M. Chillious-McCall, Danielle P. Chillious-Tong, Monica A. Chillious-Brown, India Chillious-Burks, Dwight J. Chillious Jr., and Amber C. Chillious.

Drew also leaves behind seventeen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and many extended family members, nieces, nephews, and dear friends who celebrated his life and legacy most recently at the Holder Family Picnic on August 2, 2025.

The family extends their deepest thanks to his devoted caregiver; Laronda Norflett for her 10 years of love, devotion, compassionate care and companionship that she gave Dad. She is one of the reasons Dad lived to be 104 years of age. Dad loved Loranda as a daughter. Also, thanks are also given to the friends and neighbors who visited, called, or greeted him with a warm “Mr. Chillious!” A reflection of the respect and affection felt by all who knew him.

Drew H. Chillious Jr. lived a full and generous life, one marked by service, music, family, and faith. His memory will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved him.

With love and gratitude,

The Chillious Family