Dear Hewitt Family,

I’m gripped by the loss of Lonnie, shared yesterday by NOMA. My very deepest sympathies. 

As a young architect at Hewitt-Washington, Lonnie, whom I ALWAYS called Mr. Hewitt, represented a guiding voice in his deeply respectful and deeply respected work in the City of New Orleans. Accompanying him to a project meeting, etched in my memory, I learned how much he held the trust of community members and how carefully he held that trust. That time offered a life lesson and an important emphasis on mutual respect and care. We all carry stories of those who help to ‘raise us.’ Certainly I’m only one of many that he and James brought up as they brought us through their house. 

I am so very sorry to hear of his passing. 

With condolences for your loss and in honor of the family of this good man. 
Janice Barnes
Hewitt Washington 1995-96

Lonnie was a good man.  I watched him start as a young architect and become a leader in the industry.  He laid the groundwork for many to follow him.  

"Uncle" Lonnie was one of my Dad's best friends since they were young and he will be missed immensely. He always had a smile and a kind word to say. I know that he and my Dad will now be in Heaven laughing and fussing about the Saints together. My Hewitt Family, you have my deepest sympathy and please know that if you need anything that I am only a call or text away. I love y'all and will be praying for us all to be able to recover from this great loss. 🙏😢

I was so saddened to hear of Lonnie’s passing earlier this week.  

Lonnie worked with Sheila Danzey and I for more than a year leading a team of urban designers focused on the post Katrina neighborhood planning and rebuilding effort. As many were writing off New Orleans and particularly the City’s lowest income neighborhoods, Lonnie’s steady hand, calm, decency, and the respect he garnered from professionals and the community were central to creating a path forward for recovery.  Without Lonnie’s involvement, many neighborhoods in the City would have taken much longer to recover if recover at all.  He was a modest unsung hero of one of the most trying periods in the City’s 300-plus year history and we will always remember him for that.   

Words cannot fully express the loss felt by Mr. Hewitt’s NOMA Family. We were so blessed to have him join us for our last in person conference (Brooklyn ‘19). We are heartbroken that we won’t get to see him at NOMA anymore, but we are all so much better for having been inspired by him through the years. It’s such a blessing to know how much Mr. Hewitt cared for the future of our profession. We thank him and his family for requesting that donations are directed to NOMA’s Project Pipeline Camp for youth exposure to architecture. May Mr. Hewitt’s legacy live on through all of those who were touched by his kindness and generosity. 

Sincerely,
Kimberly Dowdell
NOMA Past President

My deepest condolences to the Lonnie Hewitt family and to his partner James Washington of the Hewitt Washington architectural firm I have known this team for many many decades and as a member of noma I am so sorryful for this loss to our professional community as members of the American Institute of Architects and as lifelong member to the National organization of minority architects it's with Grace and honor that I salute his family for sharing him with the profession of 
AMERICAN architecture. Members of noma will miss him horribly but we thank him for his service as an elder to the youth of this most labor intensive profession. May he rest peacefully and may God be pleased with his good works --that stand in evidence even with his untimely passing. One Love
Renee Kemp-Rotan, MEMBER of NOMA and AIA

Lady, you and the family are in my prayers daily. I am so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for Lonnies soul. Masses will be offered for him.

Love, 
Chuchee 

A true gentleman and friend.  Offered great assistance and advice during my tenure at HANO and during my Presidency of the  Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club, Inc..  Always willing to lend a helping hand on any project.  Also was one of my sponsors during my reign as King Zulu 1994.  

My prayers and condolences are extended to his lovely wife and kids.  He will be truly missed!🙏🏽

A precious light in your life is now dim.  That light will shine again each time you remember your loved one. 
On behalf of my siblings  Willie G. Sanders (Sippi Red), Shelia G. Dupree (Dennis, Sr.) Jessie, Stephanie (Marcus) and I, we extend our deepest condolences to all who loved and mourn the passing of Mr. Lonnie Hewitt, Jr., 
We especially send our prayers of comfort to our dear friend and bonus brother Tyrone Hewitt.  
May the prayers and support of friends, the passing of time and your precious memories see you through the days ahead.




The Hewitt Family
My thoughts and prayers are with you'll. I share in your loss and I am thinking of you with my deepest sympathy. May you find comfort with family and friends. 
W. Spears
Palm Air

I offer my condolences to the entire Hewitt family as you deal with this loss. May you find comfort in knowing that he touched many lives in a positive way and in the knowledge that he is now at rest in the arms of our Lord and Savior.

I heard of Hewitt Washington Associates when I moved to New Orleans in 1993 to start a business.  I was really impressed with the business accomplishments and the respect their organization had acquired.  I got to know Lonnie more personally  as a Collaborative member.  There are very few people that I met who I can say consistently exhibited calm, grace, and determination to fight for his family and employees.  He often reminded me how his success and behavior affected the livelihood of their employees.  That's what being a successful black business is all about, hiring and caring for their people.  Rest in Peace my brother, job well done and prayers to the family.

Sending our deepest condolences & sincere prayers to the Hewitt Family.  We pray for God’s Grace, comfort, and peace to be with you during this season. 

Love,

Pastor Steve & Londa Williams 
Covenant of Grace Ministries 
Collierville, TN

Extending my heartfelt sympathy Carolyn to you  and your family.  Remembering Lonnie as a neighbor and as a friend working tirelessly  in the Palm Air Neighborhood Civic Association over the years.  On behalf of myself and the Palm Air Neighborhood..REST IN PEACE!!!❤❤❤

I met Mr. Lonnie on a professional pursuit.  Through our conversations, I came to know Mr. Lonnie as a genuinely fine man. We spoke of our grandkids on several occasions and I know that they were the apple of his eye.  I am truly heartbroken at the loss of such a fine man and friend. My thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to his wife and family.  There are very few times in life that you meet a person that makes you want to be a better person.  Mr. Lonnie was one of those people. Godspeed sir!  You’re the Lord’s architect now! 

Lonnie was the best of the best.  He had great character, poise, and a sense of calm.  

Ernest M. Stalberte
 

My husband and I would have breakfast at Shoney's on Crowder Blvd and Bullard Rd. where we would often see Lonnie - sometimes, it felt like our meeting-up was planned. Lonnie loved my cousin, Carolyn so much and was very proud of his children.  With much sincerity, I extend my love to you, Carolyn. Continue to trust God as He carries you through this season of grief. Blessings to the children, grandchildren and extended family. May God forever keep you all in his loving care!  Lonnie, rest in heavenly peace!

In Memory of Lonnie Hewitt, Jr.
Whether in the work he did, the lessons he taught, the demands for justice and equity for our people, Lonnie Hewitt, Jr. stood tall as a beacon of goodness, strength, and excellence. He was a steady guide and mentor to me, and I am so grateful for his powerful example.
For this model of life and living, as the ancient wisdom in the Husia says, “he shall be honored among the ancestors; his name shall endure as a monument; and what he has done on earth shall never perish or pass away.”
I join all others throughout the community who feel and share the profound personal loss to Lonnie’s family, relatives and loved ones and the great collective loss to our people.
Thank you, Lonnie, for all the good and goodness you left us, as well as the powerful example for us to follow.
Mtumishi St. Julien


I haven't been in Lonnie presence in over 40 plus years but because of his warmth I can remember him as if I'm in his presence now. I have never felt that way about another human being including people in my immediate family.   That says volumes about Lonnie.  I will include the family in my prayers and I am convict Lonnie is safely in heaven with our Creator.  If can be of help in any way, please feel free to contact me.  Edward L. Blouin 504.452.5162 / eblouin2@cox.net

Lonnie was married to my cousin Carolyn. My dad, who was a great judge of character, always said Lonnie was  "good people". Daddy was right.  Carolyn, Sheena, Damon and Jonique, as the days, weeks and months pass on, may you all be comforted by the wonderful memories you created over the years. With all my love, Gwen 

To the Hewitt family, please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of Lonnie Hewitt.  Losing him has created a void that I don't think will ever be filled in our community.  As a former employee, I grew to love and respect Lonnie over the years since 1989.  He helped shape my career and encouraged me as I pursued my goals.  I'll miss bumping into him at St. James Major church during Lent buying a fried fish plate.  I'll also miss confiding in him regarding my career goals.  It's hard to think of him not being here to talk with.  I pray the firm he co-founded will continue and that the family will find strength in the Lord during this painful period.  Be Blessed 

June(as I affectionately called him) was my cousin. We were raised in  Lil Village. He was always kind & caring even as a young boy. He’ll be missed by all of us. Rest In Heaven June.

Lonnie is survived by his devoted wife of 51 years, Carolyn Joseph Hewitt; daughters, Jonique Hewitt Narine (Seth), Sheena Hewitt Berry; son, Damon Todd Hewitt (Melissa); sisters, Helen Getridge (Donald), Doretha Muse (Elmo); brother, Tyrone Hewitt (Geneva); grandchildren, Mason Berry, Aminah, Avery and Desmond Todd Hewitt; and brother-in-law, Keith Joseph.

OBITUARY

Lonnie Hewitt Jr.

July 30, 1945 – January 25, 2021

Ourso Funeral Home

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