Hundreds pack out vigil for Drevon LeBlanc, Lithonia man

Hundreds of people packed out a Lithonia Chevron parking lot for a candlelight vigil on Saturday, July 27, to honor Drevon Corion LeBlanc. The young man passed away on Friday, July 26, while at the barbershop at the intersection of South Deshon and S. Stone Mountain-Lithonia roads. He was 21 years old.

LeBlanc’s family and a host of friends attended the prayer vigil, which included a balloon release and candle lighting ceremony.

LeBlanc’s older brother, Andre LeBlanc, spoke at the vigil and thanked everyone for coming out to support Drevon, affectionately known as “Dooley,” in the neighborhood.

“I am overwhelmed by the love and support from so many people. Dooley would have been so proud to see us come together like this. He was a joyful dude and I’m going to hold him down. I hope this will encourage the community to stick together and keep their heads up,” said LeBlanc.

LeBlanc’s mother was overcome with grief for the loss of her youngest of her three children.

“He was like a ray of sunshine coming into the room and just made you feel at ease,” said his mother, DeVonna Fields-LeBlanc.

“He loved to joke and he loved to help people. He always had a smile on his face and would always make sure I was ok.  I will miss his big beautiful smile.”

Born to Andre’ D. LeBlanc and DeVonna M. Fields-LeBlanc in Battle Creek, MI on March 19, 1998, Drevon Corion LeBlanc relocated to Atlanta with his family at the age of 1.

As a youth, LeBlanc participated in local community football at the Redan Recreational Park where he played on the offensive and defensive line, where he was known as the heavy hitter on the football field.  He was baptized in 2004 at Fairfield Baptist Church in Lithonia, and attended Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain.

LeBlanc looked up to his big brother, Lil Andre,’ and loved being the protector of his big sister, Deja. The family said he had a big heart and a generous spirit.

“As a kid, he used to take all the snacks from the house and give them to the other kids in the neighborhood,” said Andre LeBlanc.

The family said the young man wanted to pursue a career as a music artist and spent countless hours writing and recording his music, which he’d hoped to hear on the radio some day.

Drevon was preceded in death by his grandmother, Clara Mae (Smith) Fields; great-grandmother, Lillian Horton; grandfather, James H. Sharp; step-grandfather, Allen Johnson; great-grandmother, Beulah Mae “Big Mama” Johnson; god parents, Joyce and Andrew Blake, and Corey (Jackie) Hill; Aunts Dawn West and LaToya Parker.

LeBlanc leaves to cherish his memory: parents, DeVonna M. Fields-LeBlanc and Andre’ D. LeBlanc; siblings, Andre’ D. LeBlanc, II and Dejamere B. LeBlanc; grandparents, Marsha Titus, Charles LeBlanc, Sr. and Vernail LeBlanc; and a host of other relatives and friends.

The funeral service is today, Thursday, Aug. 1, 1 p.m., at Divine Mortuary Chapel, 5620 Hillandale Drive, Lithonia. The viewing will be held from noon to 1 p.m.

LeBlanc will be laid to rest in his family’s hometown in Battle Creek, Michigan, where a second memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 11 a.m., at Second Baptist Church, 485 Washington Street, Battle Creek, MI. Visitation will be held  on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 6 to 8 p.m., at Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service, 375 W. Dickman Road.

The family has created a Gofundme page to help cover burial expenses. To locate the family’s Gofundme page, visit www.gofundme.com and search Drevon LeBlanc.