Oneaster Drummer

Oneaster Davis Drummer, 74, was called home to be with the Lord on December 20, 2014 after a brief struggle with lung cancer. “Ness” was born September 24, 1940 to Charlie and Katherine (Reid) Davis in Red Jacket, West Virginia.

She graduated from Matewan High School in Williamson, West Virginia. At the age of 16, Oneaster attended West Virginia State University in Institute, W.VA. and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education.

After graduation, she moved to Cincinnati, Ohio and lived with her brother Charles and sister-n-law Sybil. Oneaster began her career as a primary school educator in the Cincinnati Public School system in 1962. She loved teaching children how to read and teachers how to effectively teach.

She exceled to Lead Teacher, Title I teacher, and served as Union Leader of Professional Development of the Teachers Federation for several years.

Oneaster received many awards, but most notably was honored in 1987 with the Distinguished Teacher Service Award and in 1994 the Excellence In Teaching Award from the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. Oneaster was recognized for her ability to teach any child to read and for her Black History curriculum. She retired in 2002 after 35 years of service from the Cincinnati Public School system, having taught at Westwood Elementary for 18 years. Oneaster returned to her love of teaching by serving at various schools in the city and retiring a second time from Cincinnati Leadership Academy in June 2014.

While teaching in CPS, Oneaster was invited to Allen Temple AME Church. It was at Allen Temple AME Church she met the love of her life and husband of 27 years, the late Harold B. Drummer, Sr. In 1964, they wed and from this union was born three children, Oneaster Setena, Harold Benjamin II, and Emma Katherine.

A member of the Allen Temple AME Church, Cincinnati, Ohio, she served as a Friendly Women, Steward, Choir Member, Allen Temple Angel (softball team pitcher), Young People’s Division teacher and a founding member of the ExCelsior Club (aka ExCel Club).

Oneaster was a gifted care giver who loved by giving of herself. She was known for her artistic and creative talent. Ness had the ability to make something out of nothing; sewing her own clothes, bridesmaids’ dresses and many of her childrens’ dress wear. Oneaster enjoyed sports and bowling. She was a well-known city-wide bowler. She played on many leagues and was highlighted in the Enquirer for her perfect “300” score.

She was a member of the Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. where she was given the name “Wonder Woman.” She worked with the AKA summer reading program and Girl Scouts. She was also a charter member for Just Us Friends, Inc. Oneaster was active in her church and community, but most of all she loved her children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold B. Drummer, Sr.; one brother, Charles Davis Jr.; two sisters, LaEunice Williams and Ruth Davis.

She leaves to cherish her memory; three loving children, Oneaster Setena Nutter(Shawn) of Snellville, Georgia, Harold Benjamin Drummer II of West Chester, Ohio, Emma Katherine Barnes ( Devell) of Cincinnati, Ohio; sisters, Corrine Joyner(Alphonso) of Charleston, Illinois, Essie Mae Davis of Newnan, Georgia, Linda Sue Davis of Dayton, Ohio, brothers, Johnny Davis of Los Angeles, California, George Davis (Rose) of Columbus, Ohio, Arthur Davis of Dayton, Ohio; sisters-in-laws, Sybil Davis of Cincinnati, Ohio, Edwina Coleman of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Helen Drummer of Dover, Delaware and Coeany Bryant (James) of Cincinnati, Ohio; daughter-in- law, Renee K. Drummer; grandchildren, London Harden, Trenton Nutter, Christian Barnes, Katherine Barnes, Trinity Barnes, Gabrielle Barnes, Whitney Drummer, Harold Benjamin Drummer III, Re’Ben Drummer and a host of additional grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.