John Edward Truesdale, Jr.

John Edward Truesdale aka: JB, Johnny Boy, was born April 21, 1959, in Camden, South Carolina to the late John and Mary Sue Truesdale and was called home to be with the Lord on December 7, 2020. 
   
He graduated from Camden High School in 1976 and moved to New York City to live with relatives while searching out his career.  John joined the U.S. Army in 1979. He went to school to become a Food Service Specialist. During his service, he received an Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Seas Ribbon and Marksman Ribbon. After serving six years, he completed his service and was honorably discharged in 1985. 
   
John moved back to New York in 1985 and worked for the famous restaurant “Lindy’s” Cheesecake in Manhattan, New York  for over twenty years as Head Chef, until his health worsened. His passion was cooking and he was very good at it.  In 1985, John also met and fell in love with Sonya Echevarria and daughter, Elsie Rosa. The three became a happy family. John and Sonya later added to the family with two sons, Marcus and Travis Truesdale.
   
John joined Sanders Creek Baptist Church and was baptized at a young age. He never forgot where he came from. As his health declined, he left New York and returned to Camden/Kirkwood with his mother. In spite of being a double amputee with other medical problems, he was strong in his faith in God, courageous, independent, and determined to be happy. On Sunday mornings he was back at Sanders Creek. He would get up early, dress himself and beat many to church in his” Mercedes” of a wheel chair to give God praise and thanksgiving. Kicking up a lot of dust, but determined to get there.  He had a heart of gold.
   
John was preceded in death by his father, John Truesdale; his mother, Mary Sue Truesdale; grandmother, Willie Lyles; grandparents, John & Lucille Drakeford; sister, Dollis Truesdale; brother, Jeffrey Truesdale; uncles, Johnny Drakeford and  Larry Lyles; aunts, Eloise Drakeford, Henrietta Gray, Alma Drakeford, Bobbie Robinson and many other relatives & friends who welcomed him to heaven.

John leaves behind many family members that will cherish his memories. daughter, Elsie Rosa, two sons, Marcus Truesdale (Tyrina), Travis Truesdale all of NYC; grandchildren, Madison, Madden, Maddix, Tiana, Tamia all of NYC; sisters, Carol Truesdale, Andrea Gibson (Karl) both from CA; brothers, Reggie Truesdale, SC, Kelvin Drakeford, NC and Christopher Griffin, CA; four aunts, Barbara Woodard (Archie), Louvenia Drakeford, both NYC, Louise Adamson (Robert) of TX and Wilhelmina Drakeford, SC; one uncle, Eugene Drakeford., SC; four nieces, Shelby, Kirby and Courtney Gibson of CA and LaTavia Drakeford of NC; five nephews, Khiry Truesdale, SC, Kevon Drakeford, NC, Jonathan Truesdale (Mercedes), Jason Truesdale (Tiffany) and  Jalen Johnson, CA; great nieces and nephews as well as a host of cousins, relatives, and friends.

JOHNNY BOY, YOU’RE FOREVER IN OUR HEART! WE LOVE YOU, “TO THE UTMOST!”

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Edward Truesdale, Jr., please visit our floral store.