Mary Lewis

LEWIS, Mrs. Mary J. - Age 69, passed away Sunday, March 27, 2011 at McLaren Regional Medical Center. Family hour 11 a.m. Monday, April 4, 2011 at First Union Baptist Church, 7004 Fleming Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11:45 a.m. Pastor Archie Powell, Jr., officiating. Interment Flint Memorial Park Cemetery, G-9506 N. Dort Hwy. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 11 a.m. Monday. Mrs. Lewis will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Mrs. Mary Jane Lewis was born on July 18, 1941 in Lee County, Georgia, the daughter of Emory Thomas and Mary Jane (Cook) Thomas. Mary graduated in 1961 from Lee County Training School. She also attended and graduated from Monroe Area Vocational Technical School of Albany, Georgia in July of 1965. After becoming married to James R. Lewis, Sr. in September of 1964 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church of Lee County, GA. Mary pursued her passion of symmetry and drapery, after her and Mr. James R. Lewis moved to Flint, MI in 1966. In December of 1973, Mrs. Lewis found a new church home at First Union Baptist Church and in January of 1974 Mrs. Lewis joined soon after. In 1984 the couple wanted to reach out and help the community so they open an Adult Foster Care. In addition, to working from home and doing symmetry, Mrs. Lewis also enjoyed taking care of and baby-sitting children. She was a prayerful, giving, loving, and strongly centered Woman of Christ, whose backbone was made of His word and will. Mrs. Mary Jane Lewis leaves to cherish her memory: husband, James R. Lewis, Sr.; 2 sons, Alton N. Lewis (Crystal E.) and Dion T. Lewis, all of Flint; daughter, Yolanda T. Lewis; a daughter she loved as if she was her own, RaJena Wren; 2 grandchildren, Zhyairee A. and Eesans R. Lewis, both of Flint; also special grandchildren as if they were her own that she loved deeply, Aashana J. and Kenyata Wesley, Jr., Allen M. and Amelia EC Lewis, all of Flint; great grandchild, Gabbrielle E. Parker; 2 brothers, William and Winston Thomas, both of Albany, GA; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; 3 sisters-in-law, Alice Lewis of Albany, GA, Helen Lewis of Richmond, VA and Mayelevan Maull of Mobile, AL; 3 brothers-in-law, Felton Lewis of Albany, GA, Joseph Lewis, Jr. of Richmond, VA and Rickey Maull of Mobile, AL; 2 goddaughters, Stephanie Welch-Lewis and Freda McCarty; special friends, Joyce Welch, Mr. and Mrs. Goss, Mrs. Hattie Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Rickey Hampton, Mrs. Hattie Hairston, Daisy L. Forte, Ms. Vivian and Allishia Ali, Ms. C. Vanburen, Katina Caldwell, Joshua Parker IV and Atarah Mitchner and the First Union Church Family. Mrs. Lewis was preceded in death by her daughter, Roeshelle M. Lewis; son, James R. Lewis, Jr.; parents, Emory and Mary Jane (Cook) Thomas; sister, Louvenia Thomas Ausby; brothers, Roosevelt and Wash C. Thomas; mother-in-law, Mecde Britten Lewis; and father-in-law, Joseph T. Lewis, Sr. The Family would like to express special thanks to Rev. Archie Powell, Jr. and the First Union Baptist Church and friends for all the many acts of support, kindness and anything you’ve done. We the Lewis family appreciate everything.

Mary Lewis

July 18, 1941 - March 28, 2011