CHARLOTTE — Mary Alice Banks Lewis died on October 31, 2018.
She was 89, born on December 10, 1928, in Chester County, SC. She was the daughter of the late Nettie Black and Charlie MacDowell Banks.
Mary Alice Lewis was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Robert Clayton Lewis of Green Sea, SC.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Hugh and Barbara Lewis of Charlotte, NC; grandsons Justin Scott Lewis of Reno, Nevada and Hunter Davis Lewis of Charlotte, NC; twin brother William (Bill) Banks of Fort Mill, SC, sister Lea Banks Shannon of Fort Mill, SC, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Lewis was predeceased by two brothers, Wallace (Doc) Banks of Blackstock, SC, MacHenry Banks of Chester, SC; and three sisters, Martha Banks Seigler and Naomi Banks Bridges, both of Rock Hill, SC, and Elsie Lynn Banks (infant) of Chester County, SC.
Mrs. Lewis graduated from Blackstock High School in 1946 and from Winthrop College (now Winthrop University) with a Business degree in 1950.
Beginning her career as a Business Education teacher, she eventually became an elementary school teacher; her teaching career spanned 40 years, 21 years in Hertford County, NC, public schools. She retired in 1990.
Active in many community and church groups, especially during her years in Hertford County, Mrs. Lewis served as chairman for Easter Seals and Red Cross drives, as well as chairman of the Murfreesboro Heart Fund Drive.
She was a Sunday School teacher and member of the church landscaping committee, Bible study, and missionary group at Murfreesboro Baptist Church.
Mrs. Lewis and her husband frequently entertained Chowan University students and faculty, especially foreign students unable to return home during school holidays.
After her retirement and move to Charlotte, NC, in 1998, Mary Alice Lewis became a member of Myers Park Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School.
Mary Alice was an avid reader and traveler. She also enjoyed sewing, gardening, and babysitting her two grandsons when they were young.
Mary Alice Banks Lewis’s graveside service will be on December 21, 2018; with the memorial service held at Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte on December 22, 2018, at 1 PM.
Before her death, Mary Alice Banks Lewis requested that family and friends make memorial donations to one of the following philanthropic venues. Mary Alice Banks Lewis Scholarship Endowment Fund, Chowan University, Office of Development, One University Place, Murfreesboro, NC 27855 (online giving can be made at https://easypath.ecsi.net/chowan1/489/Epay?pId=489); or Myers Park Baptist Church Capital Campaign, Myers Park Baptist Church, 1900 Queens Rd., Charlotte, NC 28207-2582.
Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Funeral Home, Weddington Chapel. An online guestbook is available at www.heritagecares.com.