Obituary of Marcelle Hanes Hewitt

Marcelle Hanes Hewitt, 72, of Barnesville, Georgia passed away on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, after an extended illness.

She was born in Barnesville on May 1, 1950, to Banks Howell Hanes and Mary Perkins Hanes. Marcelle cherished her many memories of growing up in Barnesville, especially taking the Nancy Hanks passenger train to Atlanta to ride the Pink Pig at Rich’s and performing with the high school majorettes.

She met her devoted husband and greatest admirer, William Stather Hewitt, in kindergarten. They were married during the Great Southeastern Snowstorm in 1973 and marked their 50th wedding anniversary this year.

From an early age, Marcelle had a love for education and a desire to work with children. Upon graduation from Gordon Military High School in 1968 and Gordon Military College in 1970, she continued her education at The University of Georgia, and in 1972, received a bachelor’s degree in English Education. She later returned to her alma mater and earned a master’s degree in early childhood education and a master’s degree in library education. She remained a lifelong avid Bulldog fan.

After college, she worked for the Georgia Academy for the Blind and then for the Regional Youth Development Center in Macon, where she developed the first library for the Center. Continuing in library development, Marcelle joined the Middle Georgia Regional Library System as a children’s librarian where she copioneered an innovative puppet show program and traveled the 10-county region presenting it to children. She was featured on the Macon television station’s Dell Ward Show.

An educator at heart, Marcelle taught for 32 years in the state public school system, including the Bleckley and Monroe County School Systems. During her tenure, she served as a library specialist, kindergarten teacher, early intervention program instructor and elementary vice principal. After retirement, she spent a number of years working part-time for the Barnesville-Lamar County Library.

She was an avid reader and supporter of the local library and instilled a lifelong love for learning in her nieces and nephews as well as her students. Marcelle was a gifted pianist and master quilter and passed down those gifts to those around her. A lifelong learner, she enjoyed visiting historic sites and had a love for local history.

“Mimi” will be remembered for her tireless energy and devotion to her family. She gave of her time selflessly and spent her life making her family feel loved and blessed. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Doris H. McIntosh, and her brother, Banks E. Hanes. After their deaths, she became a mother and grandmother to their children and grandchildren, always attending birthdays, school and sports events and providing love and support.

She is survived by her husband, William S. Hewitt; cousins, Johnny Buffington and Joanne Story, both of Zebulon, Georgia; nieces and nephews, Jodi and Jason Kidd of Dublin, Georgia; Stacey and Tom Vanderboom of Newnan, Georgia; Christy Simmons of Jackson, Georgia; Dee Hanes of Jackson, Georgia; Tyler and Elizabeth Hewitt of Marietta; Blaine and Sherry Hewitt of Hilton Head Island, S.C.; Blake and Catherine Hewitt of Conway, S.C.; Webster and Mandy Hewitt of Bogart, Georgia; Carter and Kristen Hewitt of Monroe, Georgia; and many great-nieces and greatnephews.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Williams Westbury Funeral Home in Barnesville. A graveside service will take place at 4 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Barnesville. In lieu of flowers/food, donations may be made to the Barnesville-Lamar County Library.

Those who wish may leave an online condolence on our website, www.williams-westburyfuneralhome.com

Williams-Westbury Funeral Home, 526 College Drive, is proudly serving the Hewitt Family.