Mary Emma Lewis, 96, passed away on April 18, 2015. She was born in Ozark, Ala. to the union of James Arney Andrews and Zeffie Pearl Newton Andrews. There were five siblings preceding Mary by their demise; Louis Frank (Louie), Sammy J., Ralph Waldo, Sarah Inez, Gladys, and Grace Evelyn Haynes. Mary was raised in Dale County, Alabama. She attended Mt. Carmel Methodist Church with her parents; there at a young age Mary was baptized. She received her early education in Deluthan, Ala. and attended high school in Ozark, Ala. When she was in her early twenties, she decided to visit her sister Grace in Long Beach, Calif. and never returned to Alabama. She applied for a position with Bank of America located in Beverly Hills, Calif. After successfully fulfilling her goal at BOA, she then had a desire to further her education, and attended a business school in Los Angeles, Calif. She later transferred to the Citi National Bank in Beverly Hills and became the Vice President until her retirement. Mary was highly respected by her fellow employees, and former customers, whereby some of them kept in touch and visited her. Mary was initially married to Rick Warick (deceased) for 29 years. She referred to him as "my Rick," as they had a long and beautiful life together until he passed away by heart failure. Rick was a stunt man in many films. He also played Charlie in Charlie's Angels with voice-over John Forsythe. Years later around 1989, she met and married H. Lauren Lewis who also preceded her after a long illness. They were happily married for 12 years. Mary and Lauren were both parishioners at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church. The Assistant Priest, Fr. Dan Rondeau (retired) was a very close friend and confidant of Mary. Mary is survived by her nephew, John Haynes; niece, Cheryl Tenhagen; great-niece, Kristin of San Diego, Calif.; and cousin, Katy. There are four step-sons, Allen, Paul, David, and Jim Lewis, all residents of South Dakota. She has one God-son, Mike Jr. Hale; a very loyal friend, Dixie Sheffield; and a host of other friends. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 24, 2015 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm followed by a funeral service starting at 1:00 pm at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, 47535 Hwy. 74, Palm Desert, CA 92260. Entombment will be held on the same day at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cathedral City, 69855 East Ramon Road, Cathedral City, CA 92234. Celebration of Life and Repast to follow; the location will be announced after the service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Boys and Girls Club of Coachella Valley, in memory of Mary Emma Lewis.
