Gladys Lorene Drewel, 94, longtime resident and the oldest member of the First Baptist Church, passed away May 11, 2026.
She was born on June 11, 1931, to the late Rev. A.B. and Bessie Sadler in Steelville.
She graduated from Belle High School in 1949 and from there she went on to Washington, DC, where for a short time, she worked for the F.B.I. Upon returning to Belle, she worked at the local shoe factory and also as secretary of the First Baptist Church.
In 1951 she was united in marriage to her best friend, Charles Kenneth Drewel of Belle. Ken was drafted and they began their military adventure. After retiring they purchased a second home and became snowbirds spending winters in Texas.
Lorene was very active in her church, read her bible daily and her faith in God was strong. She was a sweet, caring and loving wife and in 1961 she and Ken adopted their only child, a daughter Katina Melinda. Family was everything to Lorene. She will be missed greatly by those that knew and loved her.
Lorene was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; parents, Rev. A.B. and Bessie Sadler; siblings, Matthew, Lee Roy, A.B. Jr. and Glen Sadler, Bessie Sadler Smith and Ruth Sadler Bray.
She is survived by her daughter, Katina Thomas of Hillsboro; granddaughters, Ashley McBride and her husband Jamie of Caanan and Stevie Ray Thomas and her fiancé Jared Cave of Crystal City; great-grandchildren, Christian and Zachariah McBride, Jace Cave and Elaina Johnson; sister, Glenda Wade of Virginia; sister-in-law, Velma Sadler of Belle; as well as many numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 16, at the First Baptist Church of Belle, with Noble Hower officiating. Interment was at Countryside Memorial Gardens in Caanan.
Memorial contributions suggested to the First Baptist Church of Belle.
Arrangements entrusted to Sassmann’s Chapel in Belle.
