Earline Drummond

Earline Drummond was born on June 27, 1939, in Coaling, Alabama, to the late Lee Underwood and Rossie Underwood. She was the youngest of four children.

At an early age, Earline accepted Christ as her Savior and attended Mt. Ebell Baptist Church in Brent, Alabama, where she began building the strong faith that would guide her throughout her life.

At the age of nine, Earline moved to Chicago, Illinois, to live with her mother. She attended Farragut High School and graduated in 1956. During her school years, Earline worked alongside her mother in her beauty shop, developing a passion for beauty and service that would later become her life's work.

In January 1964, Earline began working at Selastomer, Inc., a rubber manufacturing company, where she served as an inspector. Her dedication, leadership, and strong work ethic earned her the position of union representative in 1968, a role she proudly held until leaving the company in 1969.

Following her time in manufacturing, Earline pursued her passion for cosmetology by attending beauty culture school. After earning her certification, she built a successful career as a beautician, working in several beauty salons throughout Chicago's West Side. Through her work, Earline touched the lives of many clients and colleagues, forming lasting friendships and becoming a trusted presence in the community.

As Earline continued her journey through life, she reconnected with a longtime family friend, C.J. Pickett.

The two were married in 1961, and from that union came two children, Winifred Annette (Pickett) Ross and Cary Jerrod Pickett. Although the marriage later ended in divorce in 1969, Earline remained deeply devoted to her children and family.

During this season of her life, Earline attended Unity Fellowship Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Theodore McFarland, where she continued to strengthen her faith and commitment to serving others.

In 1973, a visit to the bank formerly known as Union National Bank would change Earline's life forever.

There, she met Johnny Drummond, the manager of the bank. As they say, the rest is history.

On January 1, 1979, Earline and Johnny were united in marriage. Together, they built a loving blended family that included Debra Drummond, Wendy Ross, Cary Pickett, Annette Edwards, Derrick Edwards, and Kenneth Edwards.

Shortly after their marriage, Earline and Johnny relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, where they lived and worked together. The couple remained there until 1985, when they returned to Chicago so Earline could help care for her ailing mother.