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Marcella Calhoun Lewis

9/2/1951 - 11/2/2025

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Obituary For 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, and 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.

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Services

15 Nov

Visitation

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Rhodes Funeral Homes - Newburgh 18 Lake St Newburgh, NY 12550 Get Directions »
15 Nov

Funeral Service

12:00 PM

Rhodes Funeral Homes - Newburgh 18 Lake St Newburgh, NY 12550 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

  • 11/27/2025

    May God comfort your family during this difficult time.

  • 11/16/2025

    Beautiful beautiful soul. Seeing her always bought a smile to my face because of radiant beauty. She always greeted you with a smile and lasting hugs. Seeing her in January 2025 for our uncles birthday was such a pleasure. Her presence will be missed coming home not seeing her. To her family, stick today, love each other and be strong for each other. Keep her name alive by your actions and kindness

  • 11/15/2025

    We send our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family. We pray God gives you comfort in this time of need. Aunt Marcella will be truly missed. Love Teiawn and Ian Rudolph

  • 11/15/2025

    Our sincere sympathy, love and prayers go out to you in your time of grief. May the Lord comfort each and every heart. Marcella will be deeply missed, the Lord needed another angel. We love you all. Malcolm & Theresa Calhoun.

  • 11/12/2025

    Thoughts and prayers go out to our family in the loss of our beautiful cousin, Marcella. You have received your wings now, and like a dove you've flown away to be with the Lord. You will truly be missed, but forever be in our hearts. No more worry or pain now, so take your rest and one day, we will see you again. We Love you all family. Chris & Deborah Calhoun Beach

  • 11/09/2025

    You were a strong black woman. You were a vision of beauty. You were the life of the party. At times, you were even a hell raiser. Best of all you were MY MOTHER, my Kizzie. Your determination, refusal to take no for an answer, and your "I'll show you" attitude groomed me to be the woman I am today. You have instilled in me not to fear as I AM THE STORM. You have instilled in me belief that Our Lord And Savior will comfort me in times such as these. Rest easy "Kizzie" we've got it from here. God willing, I'll see you on the other side. I LOVE YOU KIZZIE!!!

  • 11/09/2025

    Sending prayers and God's love to you all 💕 SHARON & BENJAMIN LATIKER

  • 11/08/2025

    Moments can pass so quickly within the blink of an eye to have heard your voice and shared a laugh and then you were gone God allowed us to share one more laugh gone but never forgotten love and miss you Pauline & Mildred Calhoun.

  • 11/07/2025

    I will never forget this beautiful queen. The last time I saw Ms. Marcella, we were "dancing " at Uncle Fletcher's home going celebration. She was a wonen full of style and grace. I loved of energy! Mama Marcella you will truly be missed! My prayers are with the Lewis and McQueen family. Ns. Marcella is resting in the arms of Jesus.

  • 11/05/2025

    You were a strong black woman. You were a vision of beauty. You were the life of the party. At times, you were even a hell raiser. Best of all you were MY MOTHER, my Kizzie. Your determination, refusal to take no for an answer, and your "I'll show you" attitude groomed me to be the woman I am today. You have instilled in me not to fear as I AM THE STORM. You have instilled in me belief that Our Lord And Savior will comfort me in times such as these. Rest easy "Kizzie" we've got it from here. God willing, I'll see you on the other side. I LOVE YOU KIZZIE!!! Michelle

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