Marcella Calhoun Lewis

Marcella Calhoun Lewis entered into eternal rest on Sunday, November 2, 2025. Marcella was born on September 2, 1951, the only child of Melvin and Exie Lee Calhoun.

Marcella was born in Fort Knox, KY. She resided on several military installations before settling at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where her father retired from military service. Marcella considered Highland Falls, NY, her first true home. Highland Falls is where the family planted roots after military life and where Marcella formed lifelong friendships and grew her family.

Marcella was a beautiful person inside and out. Her beauty turned heads in her youth and touched hearts as she matured in her walk with Christ. She was an amazing woman who lived life on her own terms…no apologies. Unique is the perfect adjective to describe her. A vision of beauty, with flowing locs, dressed in African attire. If her confidence didn’t make you take notice of her…her antics did. She was unpredictable. You never knew what she might do or say.

Marcella was a graduate of Highland Falls High School and Ladycliff College, earning a degree in Nursing. She enjoyed a 40+ year career as a Registered Nurse with many of those years being in supervisory positions. Her passion was psychiatric nursing. Before retiring from the New York State and Local Retirement System, she enjoyed positions at Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, Letchworth Village, and New York State Department of Corrections. Marcella also proudly served as a Second Lieutenant in the U. S. Army Reserves.

Marcella’s medical and military training in being mission-oriented and making sacrifices for others prepared her for roles as caregiver to both parents and a beloved aunt, all diagnosed with terminal illnesses. Marcella would leave her home in Highland Falls, NY, for months on end to care for loved ones in need in Alabama and Louisiana with a moment’s notice. She often gave all she had to anyone in need.

Selma, AL, was her home from 2001–2018. She spent her time there reconnecting with her beloved Calhoun family, enjoying a good game of cards, forging new friendships, traveling, and cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide Football – “Roll Tide”.

She was a faithful and dutiful member of Fresh Anointing House of Worship. She welcomed worshippers into the House of the Lord each Sunday, was a constant in bible study, donated Bibles to the church, transported members to and from bible study, and utilized her culinary talents cooking for various church programs.

She took great care with the elder members of the community through her Nursing Home and Senior Ministries. Marcella witnessed in Nursing Homes sharing scripture and song with residents, and would load up the church van for Senior field trips. One of her biggest accomplishments was brainstorming and organizing a clothing drive that exceeded expectations. Her fortitude resulted in a fellowship hall full of clothes to be donated to individuals in need of disaster relief.

Marcella knew her vision, strength, and compassion came from the Lord, and she would give thanks and praise reports in her weekly 6 am prayer group.

Marcella returned to Highland Falls in 2018, retiring from her role as caregiver and to be closer to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She leaves to cherish her memories: children, Mary Lewis Carroll (Ronnie), Wallace Lewis, Jr. (Erica), Jacqueline Lewis, Michelle Hunter McQueen (Dwayne), Jason Lewis, and Antwon Lewis; 25 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren; aunt, Pauline Calhoun; her chosen siblings Ann Molina, Rome Hunter, and the Hunter Girls — Lillie Cal, Jocesyln, Yvonne, and Daphne; cherished niece, Brenda Lewis and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins who loved her dearly.

She is predeceased by her parents, Melvin and Exie Lee Calhoun, those she loved as parents, Daniel and Freddie Mae Hunter, and Lillie Mims; beloved aunt, Lillie Esther Johnson; spouse, Wallace C. Lewis, Sr.; son, Warren R. Hunter; chosen brother, Steven K. Hunter; daughter-in-law, Erica Lewis; and grandsons, Kacy Thorpe and Marquis McCall.