Dreina Lewis

Dreina Lewis died on Monday 2 November 2026, after a brief illness, surrounded by her family. She was 82. The cause of death was not made public. Her funeral took place on Friday 13 November 2026 at The Emmaus Community, 20820 Western Avenue, Olympia Fields, Illinois.

Dreina Alvon Kellogg was born in Chicago, Illinois, on 24 January 1944, the first of seven children of Walter "Bill" Kellogg and Carol Lee Higgins Kellogg. She was raised in Harvey, Illinois, where she attended Thornton Township High School, and continued her education at Thornton Junior College. As a young woman she began her spiritual life at Wesley United Methodist Church in Harvey.

She dedicated more than 30 years of her professional life to public service, working for the Cook County Department of Public Aid and the Illinois Department of Public Aid, where she administered health and medical benefits.

In April 2003 Harvey Mayor Eric J. Kellogg, her younger brother, appointed her Chief Administrator of the City of Harvey. At a time when the management of many suburban Cook County towns was dominated by men, the appointment was regarded as a significant step, and Kellogg later described it as the most significant decision of his four terms in office. She managed the city's operations for 16 years before retiring. According to the statement announcing her death, she helped attract more than 150 businesses to Harvey and led initiatives on balanced budgets, diversity and improved infrastructure.

She was widely credited with mentoring young African American women in government. She received numerous administrative awards and, in February 2025, the Rich Township History Makers Award.

In 1964 she married Michael A. Lewis, and they remained married for more than 62 years. They had two daughters, Monica Lewis Fox and Bettie Lewis. She was a member of The Emmaus Community in Olympia Fields, and was associated with The Links, Incorporated, and Jack and Jill of America, whose members performed ceremonial rituals at her funeral. Her family recalled her love of fashion and of family.

She was predeceased by her parents and by her siblings Denise Kellogg, Walter Kellogg III and Joyce Kellogg Weaver. She was survived by her husband, her daughters, her grandchildren Olivia Dreina Fox and Colin Michael Lewis, her great-grandson Jacoby Brown, and her brothers Derrick (Terry) Muhammad, Rommel Kellogg and Eric J. Kellogg.

Local leaders described her as a pioneer for Black women in municipal administration. Cook County Commissioner Kisha McCaskill said she "created a path for young women who desired to have a leading role in government", and Rich Township Supervisor Calvin Jordan said she "inspired a generation of young women throughout Cook County". State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin filed House Resolution 1075 in the Illinois House on 9 November 2026 to honour her life and service. Her family asked that donations go to the South Suburban Chicago Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, for a scholarship in her name.