Mary Evelyn Bowling Hewett, 83, of Bolivia, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, Dec. 14, 2015.
She was born in Hyden, Kentucky on June 8, 1932 to the late Darnell and Amanda Baker Bowling. She was predeceased by her parents; husband Willie C. “Jack” Hewett; and a sister, Shirley Galloway.
She was affectionately known to many people as “Aunt Mary” or “Nanny.” Mary moved from Kentucky to Brunswick County at a young age with her family, and shortly after her mother died. At a young age she helped raise her brothers and sister. Mary met and married Willie C. (Jack) Hewett of Bolivia. To this union, they had one son, Bobby.
Being raised during very hard times, Mary learned to live with very little. She did not waste anything; she was a wise steward of the things she was blessed with. She did not like laziness, and was a very hard worker. Mary worked for many years at the N.C. Baptist Assembly at Fort Caswell. She also raised many children in the community and had an in-home daycare for over 30 years.
Mary loved quilting, gardening, canning vegetables, reading books and Norman Rockwell, and she had an intense love for all of her family. Her favorite time of the year was Thanksgiving, and she would host dinner at her house and feed nearly 50 people each year. She was a wonderful cook and was known for her chicken and pastry.
In 1949, Mary’s life was changed through the power of old fashion repentance. She testified many times to the heavy burden that was lifted from her, as she asked God to forgive her. In the early 1950s, she was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and received the infilling of the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in tongues. Mary had a true relationship with Jesus and she was faithful to her Savior for many years. Her favorite passage of scripture was Psalms 91, and she would quote it every day. She also used her telephone to call random numbers and she would say, “Jesus is Coming soon, Are you ready to meet Him?” Then she would share the salvation message of Acts 2:38 with her callers.
Mary had a deep love for foreign missions. She faithfully supported missionary works for many years, assisting with building churches in the Philippine Islands and Brazil, South America. She has supported missionaries monthly in the following areas: Brazil, Mexico, India, Ethiopia, Paraguay, Equator, Lebanon, the Amazon and the Philippine Islands. There are souls learning about Jesus on foreign soil due to her commitment of the Lord’s commission. “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.”
She was an original member, and assisted in the founding, of Midway Apostolic Church in 1964 on N.C. 211 in Bolivia, with the late Pastor Betty McKendrie and Sister Daphnia McGill. In 2005, she was a founding member and served on the board of directors of Lighthouse Pentecostal Church until her death .
Mary is survived by her loving family: son; Bobby Hewett and wife Cathy of Bolivia; granddaughters Patti Cole (Tommy), and Hidi Hewett, both of Bolivia; great-grandchildren Breanna Morgan and Andrew Cole, both of Bolivia; brothers Sam Bowling (Linda) of Burgaw and Johnny Bowling (Evie) of Sunset Harbor; brother-in-law Ed Galloway of Varnumtown; a very special niece; Jenny Milligan of Boiling Spring Lakes; and great-nieces Rachel Milligan, and Bethany Jones (Daquan) and great-nephew Caleb Milligan, all of Boiling Spring Lakes.
A worship service to celebrate and honor Mary’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16 at Lighthouse Pentecostal Church, 5420 U.S. 17, Bolivia, NC, with Pastor Charles A. Drew officiating. There will be a visitation and viewing one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in the Hewett Family Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Lighthouse Pentecostal Church Missionary Fund, P.O. Box 10512, Southport, NC 28461.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Peacock, Newnam and White.
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