Nettie Jo

(Trotter) Mcdermott

N ettie Jo McDermott, age 66, passed away early Saturday morning, November 22, 2025. She was born February 17, 1959, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A daughter of late William Trotter and Dorothy Minter. She graduated from Union high school in 1977.

Nettie moved to Cleveland, Ohio in 1983 and started her career working in food service, running food stands in various office buildings. This is where she met the late Joseph McDermott and married in 1999 She then took her skills to Marriott reservation center where she worked as a reservationist, and for 24 years, she was a roll model to many blind people to successfully work at the call center. She spent over 30 years as a dedicated and devoted member of The National Federation of the blind where she was instrumental in heading fundraisers, attending multiple national conventions, and helping younger people.

Nettie was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph T. McDermott. She is survived by her children Omar Trotter (Jennifer), Deion Wells (Andre), and Lonette George, her 8 grandchildren Zahniya, Tyler, Jailynn, Damaiah, Andrionna, Braylen, Danielle, and Amara, and great granddaughter Kaidence. She is also survived by 5 sisters, Barbara Lee, Deborah Yarbrough, Gloria Thomas , Falicia Trotter, and Pamela Fields. And a host of nieces and nephews. Nettie will be remembered for her unwavering integrity. She was a very independent, headstrong, matter of fact person, who would tell it like it is no matter what. But to know her was to love her. She was driven by not letting her disability affect her quality of life and very passionate about educating others on navigating through the challenges of having a disability. Her wisdom was a true gift to everyone who knew her.