She was born June 3, 1935 in Meadowview, VA to the late Vance DeFriece and Rose Wheeler DeFriece. She grew up in Meadowview and attended Meadowview School.
Mary married Herbert H. Lewis on June 20, 1952. They were married 67 years until his passing in 2019. After several years in Kingsport and then in West Virginia, Mary and Herbert returned to Kingsport. Together they brought up a family of 10 children. She was always proud of her children's accomplishments in school and life. Her greatest priority was to see each one develop a relationship with Jesus Christ. A mother and homemaker, as Mary's children grew she began babysitting other children, loving and mentoring them as her own. She loved becoming "Mamaw" to them and later to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mary loved her Savior, the Lord Jesus with her whole heart. Though she was a humble, gentle woman, Mary was a powerful prayer warrior. Only heaven knows what wonderful and eternal impact her years of prayers have had and will have on her family, friends and the world. She was a member of North Kingsport Church of God, Kingsport, TN.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and her daughter, Ruth Ellen Lewis, and siblings Katherine Moore, Fred DeFriece, Lorraine Perry, Scott DeFriece, Dallas DeFriece, Virgil DeFriece and Raymond "Boots" DeFriece.
Mary leaves behind her children, Donald (Estenia) Lewis, Glen (Linda) Lewis, Sam (Lori) Lewis, Sylvia (Mike) Lewis Brown, Janice (Haynes) Lewis Miller, James (Susan) Lewis, Katherine (Timothy) Lewis Gann, Tom Lewis, and Linda (Robert) Lewis Roberts, 26 grandchildren, and 40 great-grandchildren (with one on the way).
The receiving of friends and family will take place at North Kingsport Church of God, located at 2409 N John B Dennis Hwy, Kingsport, TN 37660, on November 22, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
A Celebration of Life will follow at the same location at 4:00 pm.
The graveside committal will be held at East Lawn Memorial Park, 4997 Memorial Blvd, Kingsport, TN 37664, on November 24, 2025, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.
East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park is honored to be taking care of the Lewis family at this time.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made, in memory of Mary Lewis, to:
Laos Girls Safehouse - Project Justice (Tennessee Church of God World Missions project) Project number #103-0555-001. You may give online or to Prospect Church of God, Cleveland or North Kingsport Church of God, or Tri-Cities Church of God.
https://tinyurl.com/3jm6ffe8
OR
Ben and Jess Lewis Ministry to Peru (Grandson of Mary)
https://tinyurl.com/Ben-and-Jess
OR
Keep Kingsport Beautiful, Pollinator Garden Projects
400 Clinchfield St, Suite 100, Kingsport, TN 37660
