Mary Lois Lewis (Welcher), age 79, of Silver Spring, Maryland passed away on Sunday, December 26, 2021. Mary was born on March 31, 1942 in Roanoke, Virginia to the late William A. and Gladys E. Welcher (Gray). She was the eldest of five Curtis, William "Alex", Roy "Phonsa" Welcher and Donna Lee.
Mary was educated in the Roanoke County school system. On June 16,1959 in Roanoke, she met and married the late John "Joe" M. Lewis; who affectionately named her as "Chip-Monk". They were blessed with four sons; Darryl "Tony" of France, Dwayne, Derek and Damon of Silver Spring. In addition to her parents and husband Mary was preceded in death by her son Dwayne and brother Curtis Welcher.
Mary attended Prince George's Community College and earned her Masters degree from University of Maryland. Mary was a longtime employee of the federal government for over 42 years before retirement in January 2006. She worked for the Department(s) of Justice, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security. Her professional career choice was in information technology as a systems analyst.
Mary was very caring and loving towards family and friends. If you knew her well enough you could count on receiving some sort of greeting card for your birthday, holiday, special occasion or to comfort you with words of healing and sympathy. She was a very proud and active contributor towards the accomplishments and milestones of her sons, grand-children and other family members. She was the biggest cheerleader often attending basketball, baseball and football games, ice skating performances and other youth activities. She enjoyed hosting and attending annual family reunions as well family gatherings. In her free-time Mary enjoyed her green-thumb hobby of planting and flowering which was adopted from her father.
Although busy raising her children and grand-children while working full-time she was passionate in providing long-term care to those in need of extra care and love including her late Grandmother Pearl Gray and Aunt Fannie Shannon. Serving God was her life and her greatest love was serving her church. Mary was an active member at Ward Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, DC for over 55 years. Her most significant accomplishments at Ward AME was becoming a member of the Dr. Joseph C. McKinney Lay Organization, Secretary for the Board of Stewards and church Worship Service Announcer.
Those left to cherish her memories are her brothers William and Roy (Carolyn), Sister Donna all of Roanoke, VA. Sons Darryl (Evelyne) of France, Derek and Damon both of Silver Spring, MD. Six grand-children; Dwayne Jr. (Kya), Darryl Jr., Bryon (LaNeesha), Catryna, Deja and Donna (Fabien). Eleven great-grandchildren; Jaden, Samuel, Kinsley, Christian, Shareef, Bryson, Mila, Agathe, Kamron, Margot and Saks. Brother in-law James Sullivan, Sister in-laws Lena, Margaret and a multitude of nephews, nieces and other family and friends.
A visitation for Mary will be held Tuesday, January 11, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, January 11, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 11800 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904. A graveside service & interment will occur Wednesday, January 12, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Quantico National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Road, Triangle, VA.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hinesrinaldifuneralhome.com for the Lewis family.
