We respectfully announce the passing of Mrs. Dedridra Hardaway Sewell of Luthersville, Georgia on Sunday, August 22, 2021 at Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange.

Graveside Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 2950 Primrose Road, Greenville, Georgia 30222.

Facebook Live information for the Service (Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church) (see clickable link below) https://www.facebook.com/groups/431969806851947

Dr. E. L. Jimerson, Pastor and Rev. Maynon Copeland (Pastor at Greater New Harvest Baptist Church-Atlanta), Eulogist.

Public viewing will be held on Friday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. There will be no viewing at the Graveside.

Due to COVID-19 concerns everyone in attendance at the Graveside and the viewing must WEAR A MASK and social distancing is encouraged.

Dedridra Shelis Hardaway Sewell, better known as Deb and Mama Deb, was born on July 11, 1967, to Charles Hardaway and his wife, the late Jennye Lou Rhodes Hardaway. She was their third daughter, the feisty one, who made life in the Hardaway household interesting. She kept the family laughing. Deb made her transition on the morning of August 22, 2021.

Deb graduated from Greenville High School in 1985. She was a member of the Greenville High marching band where she was a part of the flag corp. She was also a member of the girls’ softball team. Deb also played softball in the community.

After high school, Deb went directly into the workforce and really enjoyed earning her own keep! No matter where she worked or what role she played, she was known for being a dedicated and reliable team member. Some of her employers were The Kroger Company, Photocircuits Corporation, NCR, and most recently, Nards Barbeque, where she helped others get to work on time by serving the best breakfast in town!

Deb also enjoyed family life and endeavored to build a family of her own. Her nephew, Anthony, gave her the name “Mama Deb”. On December 17, 1989, she was united in Holy Matrimony with Leonard Raynard Sewell, in a ceremony performed by Leonard’s uncle, the Late Reverend James Booker. In marrying Raynard, she became what is now called a Bonus Mom to three bright, young people, Torie, Kimberly, and Terrance. Deb put the family in blended family as she loved and nurtured them as her own.

Deb also enjoyed worshiping. Having been brought up in the church, regular Sunday worship was important to her. During her life, she attended and faithfully served at the Wadley Chapel United Methodist Church, Corinth Georgia and the Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Greenville, Georgia where she sang in their respective choirs. As a young person, she was also a member of the youth choir at New Mount Bethel Baptist Church, Luthersville, Georgia. In 2018, Deb became a member of the Greater New Harvest Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, where she also lent her voice in song.

From trials to triumph, Deb enjoyed a full life. She had no issue sharing her journey to becoming a transplant recipient in 2016. It was then that she received a new lease on life, and she enjoyed every day to the fullest. She was very grateful, and she might even ask you to consider becoming an organ donor if you are not already.

On Sunday, August 22, 2021, Deb’s earthly journey ended at the WellStar Medical Center, LaGrange, Georgia. In addition to her mother, Jennye Lou, she was preceded in death by her son, Leondarious R. Sewell, and her sister-in-law, Wilene Hines.

She leaves to cherish so many wonderful memories, her husband, Leonard R. Sewell; her sons, Torie Reeves, Terrance Sewell, and Lyndrix Taylor Sewell; her daughters, Kimberly (Roland) Hayes and Maiya Sewell; her father, Deacon Charles Hardaway; her sisters, Tammy Hodo, Putula Hardaway, Bridget Hardaway, and Rhasida(Carlos) Reid; her brother, Demetrius Blalock; her mother-in-law, Annie Sewell; her brothers-in-law, James (Kathy) Sewell, Jeffrey Sewell, and Clarence Sewell; aunts, Mary Colton, Mary Nell Black, and Janie Hardaway; uncle, Willie F. Rhodes; and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Arrangements entrusted to Thrash and Sons Funeral Home.