Marion "Jeannie" Jones Lewis

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children… to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a better place… to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived: this is to have succeeded.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

Marion Jeannette Jones Lewis, 65, of Raleigh, left this life Tuesday, April 17, bathed in the peaceful glow of a life lived to its fullest measure and knowing she had indeed succeeded.

She was born in Montgomery County, NC, on December 19, 1946, to George Hampton Jones and Marjorie Reynolds Jones and attended East Montgomery High School with the Class of 1965. “Jeannie,” as she was called by her cousins, was the embodiment of grit, grace, and integrity, and her life was defined by her love for her family.

After moving to the Triangle in 1973 with her husband and children, Marion enjoyed a career with Nortel Networks that spanned 25 years. She was active for many years with Parkwood Baptist Church in Durham and gave in service to her community through Beta Theta sorority in Durham and, later, with Raleigh Elks Lodge No. 735.

She was passionate about life and embraced her friends with devotion. When a friend was in need, there was no greater gift than her compassion; when a friend found joy, she shared in it.

She was most proud of her roles as mother and grandmother. In “her girls” she instilled confidence, perseverance, generosity of spirit, and, above all else, a willingness to love and be loved. She was a precious gift to all who knew her, and we are uplifted by her abiding presence in our hearts even as we struggle to come to terms with her loss.

Marion is survived by her mother, Marjorie Jones; by her sister and brother-in-law, Becky and Doyle Shelton, their sons, Andy and Lyn, daughter-in-law, Lori, and granddaughter, Tessa; by her daughters, Helen Lewis and Karen Lewis Taylor; by her son-in-law, Dave Taylor; and by her granddaughters Keelie and Jenna Taylor, who will forever be sustained by the unconditional love and joy they knew through their “Nana.”

She is survived as well by many aunts, uncles, and cousins and a steadfast circle of friends. She was predeceased by her beloved grandparents, Walter and Bertha Reynolds; her father, Hamp Jones; and her former husband, Hughie Lewis.

As Marion’s family, we would like to share our gratitude for the compassionate care and friendship given to her by Dr. Fidel Valea, his clinicians Bernice and Teri, and the infusion lab nurses at Duke Cancer Center, both in Durham and Raleigh. Her exceptional longevity and quality of life during the five and a half years following her diagnosis were unexpected gifts we have treasured every day.

We would also like to thank Hospice of Wake County for their guidance and support during Marion’s final, peaceful days, and, most of all, the many friends and family members who rallied behind us as we cared for her in her home.

We are planning a celebration of life—which, like her life, will be filled with sunshine and laughter—in the coming weeks. Please consider a gift in Marion’s memory to the Gail Parkins Memorial Ovarian Cancer Walk & 5K Run (www.ovarianawareness.org, Team “The Lewis Women”) in support of live-saving research at Duke, or to your local Hospice organization.

“What we have once enjoyed, we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes part of us.” –Helen Keller

Condolences and special memories can be shared at www.MitchellatRMP.com