Mary Katherine Lewis

Sunrise June 11, 1947 Sunset July 31,2020

The Journey and Life of Our Beloved

Mary Katherine Miner-Lewis

Mary Katherine Lewis was born in Parkside Hospital, Detroit, Michigan on Wednesday, June 11, 1947, to the late Oliver and Margie (McConico) Miner. She was the second sibling of eight children. Her two brother, Franklin Miner and Stanly Miner (preceded her in death).

Mary was educated in the Detroit Public System, Alger Elementary, Hutchinson Middle School, and Northern High School. She graduated from Northern in June 1965 with honors. She was a member of the “Honor Society”, Future Teachers, and the “Viking Yearbook”. She received an academic scholarship and attended Wayne State University. Mary married Alfonso Lewis in the summer of 1967. On August 15, 1968, God blessed them with a beautiful baby boy “Rodney Oliver Lewis” whose middle name is the first name of his maternal grandfather. She was employed with Michigan Bell, Internal Revenue, Unisys, and the United States Post Office.

She accepted Christ during her youth at the family church, El Bethel Missionary Baptist under the leadership of the late Reverend Eugene Moore. Mary was a member of the Sunday School, Baptist Training Union, and numerous other ministries and activities. She later joined Liberty Temple Baptist Church under the late Reverend Samuel J. Thompson Jr. On September 18, 2011, she united with the Christian Fellowship of Love Baptist Church, under the auspices of the late Reverend Samuel J. Thompson Jr., until she relocated to Douglasville, Georgia in May 2018, to be close to her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. Mary was very dedicated and faithfully attended church each Sunday. On numerous occasions, one could see she was not feeling well but she was determined to attend worship service. Even with her many underlying issues, she fought a good fight for years.

Mary faithfully supported the “Margie O’Neil Miner and Willie Ivory Wilson Legacy of Giving Programs,” through the “Adopt-a-Child Program and School Operation Backpack from Georgia.

Mary touched the lives of many people. She was funny and an avid reader; when you saw her, she normally had a book in hand. She was incredibly strong-minded, opinionated, and in the later years, she became quite the talker and philosopher. Mary will also be remembered with a wide smile when you recall her not wanting to grasp or accept texting and social media, especially when she always “ACE” every exam she took, or when her academic ability allowed her to be the accountant for M & M Construction Company, (her father and uncle’s company), just out of high school. Mary always made a statement with her fashion style and neatness. Anyone who knew Mary could see she loved her son, and his family, her sisters, brothers, Marriel Bells- Williams, a special friend, her nieces, and nephews. She had a special affection for Bailyn Bell, a great-great-nephew. They spent quite a bit of time together eating, talking, fussing, and laughing when she resided in Detroit, Michigan.

Mary Katherine leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memory: One loving son Rodney, (Tracy), four grandchildren, Romeo, Royale, Rodney Jr, and Rayne along with their dog Rex. Five devoted siblings: Betty Robinson, Terry Robinson, Patricia Reed, Linda Miner, and Michael Miner (Brenda), four aunts, two uncles, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and church family.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the National Kidney Foundation of Detroit, 7800 Outer Dr. West, Detroit, Michigan 48235 in honor and memory of “Mary Katherine Lewis”. www.nkfm.org

The family may be contacted by email at the following email address: RL32000@aol.com