Margaret Lee Hewett: Tabor City

1926 – 2024

     Margaret Lee Hewett of Tabor City passed away on Oct. 24, surrounded by her family following a short illness.

     She was an amazing woman of 98 years who loved her God, family, friends, and country. Margaret Lee was born in Hamlet, North Carolina on Aug. 29, 1926, the last of nine children.

     After graduating from high school at 16 years old, she became a bookkeeper for Pinehurst Incorporated until she married James Ruey Hewett on April 9, 1950. She moved to Tabor City where they raised their three children and ran the family business. Margaret became a member of Clarendon Baptist Church where she sang in the choir, led the children’s choir, played the organ, and taught Sunday School classes for all ages and special classes on the Bible.

     Margaret started a program in conjunction with Columbus County Baptist Association to teach English to migrant workers. The program’s classes grew to include Sunday night worship services for her students, both children and adults. From her students arose at least two future ministers who founded churches in Columbus County for migrant ministries.

     Margaret joined her husband to manage Ruey’s Clothing Store in Tabor City until his passing in 1972. She was the first female President of the Tabor City Chamber of Commerce. In 1977, she turned the business over to her son Jimmie. She then began her 43-year career as a bookkeeper for the RC Coleman Co./Daddy Joe’s where she worked until April 2020.

     Margaret’s smile and charming personality has touched the lives of so many from coast to coast. Knowing her was truly a blessing.

     She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Jimmie and Sandra Hewett of Tabor City, Winnie Hewett and Davine Abbott of Mission Viejo, California, and Meta and Roger Duffel of Lake City, Arkansas; and her five grandchildren, Jackie, Angela, Michael, Genna, and Hayden.

     She was preceded in death by her parents, General Walter “GW” Lee and Ettie Farmer Lee; seven brothers; and one sister.

     A celebration of the life of Margaret L. Hewett at Clarendon Baptist Church was planned for 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, burial following in Forest Lawn Cemetery.

     Visitation was planned for the hour preceding the service in the church.

     In lieu of flowers, donations in Margaret’s name may be made to Clarendon Baptist Church, P.O. Box 127, Clarendon, NC 28432.

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