Mary Inez Lewis

Mary Inez Dansby was born in 1940 in Bremen, Georgia to Mozelle and Cedella Dansby. She was the 3rd of 7 children. She married James E. Lewis in 1959. Mary and James with their two children, Stanley and Cassandra moved to Camden, NJ. Mary soon became the mother of 3 other children, Janice, Michelle, and Jimmy. In 1962 she passed her drivers license, graduated from Cooper School of Cosmetology, gave birth to Dr. James E. Lewis Jr and became a Seventh Day Adventist. While a member at Mt. Olivet SDA Church, Mary served as Sabbath School Superintendent. She became the first female trustee, also working with the STOP Program working with youth on probation. She moved to Cherry Hill and changed her membership to Cherry Hill SDA Church, becoming a Sabbath School Superintendent and opening up a food pantry, feeding and clothing needy people. She was honored at the governor's mansion at DrumThwacket and had breakfast with Governor Christie Whitman; both mayors of Cherry Hill, Susan Bass and Bernie Platt, honored her. The National Hookup of Black Women of Cherry Hill honored her as an "Ordinary woman doing extraordinary things." She retired after 25 years of Postal Service, later becoming a certified nurses assistant and completed training as an EKG phlebotomy technician. Mary became the first female elder at her church in Cherry Hill. Since retiring, Mary has spent her time helping the family, running community service, volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House, taking lunches and clothing to homeless and needy people, and taking full course meals to New Vision, once a year. She also enjoyed visiting the sick and shut in, taking care of their needs. Even during this pandemic, she never allowed it to deter her from visiting, praying and providing for her beloved sick and shut in. Weekly she drove to the nursing home facilities and prayed from her car outside, when she couldn't enter. Queen Mary's life goal and dream was simply to spend her life mending broken people. And she was a sure example of fulfilling a lifelong wish. Mary has spent tireless hours providing and assisting others with basic life necessities and spiritual guidance through her practical representation of Christ on the earth. She loved her children unconditionally, Mary is loved by many and missed by all. Her legacy of generosity and Christlikeness thrives through her children and grandchildren for years and years to come. She leaves to mourn her three daughters Cassandra L. Freeman, Janice M. Wright (her beloved Son in Law, James Wright), Michelle E. Maldonado, Lynda Crowder, and beloved niece Sharla Dansby. Her grandchildren, Shon Maldonado (wife Lisa), Dr. Sydney Freeman Jr. (wife Lynda), Ramse and Lex Maldonado, Marcus and Cassie Freeman, and Ryan and Saven Wright and her two great grandchildren, Jason and Javanie, with a host of nieces and nephews. To view the services live, please visit: https://youtu.be/ICyJwu_olB8

Mary Inez Lewis

March 31, 1940 - September 15, 2021