Mary Louise (Mary Lou) James Sewell

Mary Louise (Mary Lou) James Sewell
August 30, 1929 - October 2, 2022
Durham, NC

Mary Louise (Mary Lou) James Sewell (93, Durham, NC) died peacefully on October 2, 2022, from a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. Mary Lou set an amazing example of love and caring, not just for her family, but for the world. She instilled in her children strong family bonds, a love of nature, a curiosity about the world, a commitment to helping others, and a responsibility for civic participation.

An informal service of remembrance will be held Friday October 7, 2022 at 4 pm at Croasdaile Village chapel, 2600 Croasdaile Farm Parkway, Durham, NC 27707. Burial at Emory and Henry College Cemetery and a family celebration at Lake Junaluska are tentatively planned for next year.

Mary Lou raised three strong children while standing up for civil rights in VA, working to pass the ERA amendment in IL, demonstrating against war and nuclear proliferation, volunteering on Mission trips through the Methodist Church in Mexico and Palestine, and organizing for Bread for the World. Mary Lou was a graduate of Emory and Henry College (1950), where she met her husband Winston Grey Sewell. She was a kindergarten teacher for 20 years in public schools, instilling a love of learning in hundreds of kids.

Mary Lou and Winston took their family on many camping trips, mostly in the Eastern US, and especially to the mountains and beaches they loved. They also traveled around the world together, helped start Habitat for Humanity groups, and volunteered for leadership roles in every Methodist church they attended. They retired to the mountains of North Carolina and built their dream home on thirty acres with incredible views. Mary Lou started two hiking clubs in her beloved Smoky Mountains (NC). Mary Lou loved trillium wildflowers, classic Big Band music and Dove dark chocolate.

Predeceased by husband of 45 years, Winston Grey Sewell in 1996 and brother Trigg James Jr. Survived by sister, Kathryn Ann McKinney (CT); children Mary Susan (Susie) Sewell (Durham, NC), Kathryn Ann (Katie) Sewell (Boise, ID), James Winston (Jim) Sewell (Charlene Jacob, NJ); AFS exchange student daughter Ann Richards Handburg (Australia); and three grandchildren: Troy Jacob Sewell (Natasha Jacobs, NY), Clayton Troy Sewell (Clay) Lewis (Danielle Alleman, Bellingham, WA) and Ana Sewell Goldstein (Kaden Goldstein, NJ).

Arrangements by City of Oaks Cremation. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Bread for the World or a non-profit serving those in need.