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Ms. Hattie Orietheo “MaHattie” Smith Lewis

5/29/1946 - 12/31/2025

Text:

Obituary For Ms. Hattie Orietheo “MaHattie” Smith Lewis

Mrs. Hattie Orietheo “MaHattie” Smith Lewis, 79, of Chesapeake VA, born May 29, 1946, found eternal peace on December 31, 2025, after a long illness.

MaHattie, as she was lovingly known to all, in one meeting would have you feed, make you laugh and made you feel like you always belonged with her.

MaHattie was born in Big Stick, WV to Enmond Bradley and Betty Jane DeBerry. Her father was a talker, and her mother had a heart of gold. She had many stories from times spent with her grandparents, Theodore and Hattie DeBerry. Theodore, in his later years would come to live with her.

MaHattie attended Piney Oaks Elementary, then went on to Stratton High School for a bit, in 1964 she quit school to marry Robert Lewis. At her daughters urging, at the age of 47, she took classes to earn her GED while living in Roanoke VA. Other accomplishments included a certificate in sewing and her church work.

MaHattie was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Beckley WV. She helped Ms Marion in the kitchen for years then later was appointed President of Usher Board #2. She really loved her church and the Staples family. Only two subjects put an edge to her voice, with her hand on her hips would she say “don’t talk about my preacher” and I’ll keep the second topic in the family.

MaHattie worked in food service for a number of years. She shared her talent at the Town and County Drive inn, Raleigh General Hospital, Community Head Start, Apple Daddy’s, and Yvette’s. She then moved into a career that she called babysitting. In this role, she nurtured, feed, loved and shared her BIG bed with so many. To date they have all graduated high school and college. She was so proud to be apart of young people growing up ok, she just spoiled everybody. Just to name a few Melvin Mickey, Lee Scales, Toni & Vett Johnson, Sid Stewart, Clarence Moore, Samantha Hickman, Christopher Brown, Jamar & Stacie Green, Lamont & Amber Thomas and Mikayla Chavis. She treasured her time with all children and never failed to see the light in every one of them.

MaHattie was preceded in death by her mother and father; both sets grandparents; husband, Robert Lewis; sisters, Racheeta Claytor, Bertha Russell, Bernice Jones, and Lillie Moore; nephew, Frederick Munnerlyn Jr.; and step-son, Clarence Manns Jr.

MaHattie leaves to cherish her memory, Julius Claytor of Vinton VA, Tonya Manns and William “Billy” Manns, both of Beckley WV, Tonya Dowdell of South Mills, NC, Crystal (Rudolph) Ford of Roanoke VA, Charlotte DeBerry of Chesapeake VA, Vanessa Manns and Toni Manns, both of Charleston WV; grandchildren, Ty Dowdell, Nicklaus (Casey) Norman, Carmelo Ford, Tatyana Dowdell and Amaria Ford; great-grandchildren, Malachi Norman and Myla Norman; sisters and brothers, Jerome Bradley of Beckley, WV, Gregory DeBerry of Roanoke, VA, James (Terri) Bradley of Richmond, TX, James (Rosline) Smith of Hinesville, GA, Omar Bradley of Cleveland, OH, Jacqueline DeBerry and Vinnie Saunders, both of Roanoke, VA, and Toni DeBerry of Beckley, WV; lifelong friends that are family, Marion Staples, Charlotte Mickey, Chester Stewart, Minnie Temple, Howard Hairston, Clarance Manns Sr.,
Joyce Jones, Racine Green, Rita Wright, the Hickmans (Roger, Violent, Margaret, Ron, Danny, Dallas and Tara (Brian)), Penny Winston, and Joe Brown.

Funeral service will be 12:00PM Friday, January 9, 2026 at Mt Zion Baptist Church
142 Mool Ave. Beckley. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park, Beckley.

Friends, while wearing masks and observing social distancing, may view and visit with the family one-hour prior.

Email condolences to ritchiejohnsonfuneralparlor@gmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.

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Tributes

  • Sympathy Spray

    Robyn Williams sent Sympathy Spray for Ms. Hattie Orietheo “MaHattie” Smith Lewis - 01/08/2026

    Dear Charlotte & Family, We are sending our love & prayers to you all on the loss of your beautiful mother, Mahattie. Love, John Watson, Norma Stanley and Robyn Williams & Family

  • Red and White Handled Basket

    JAMES SMITH sent Red and White Handled Basket for Ms. Hattie Orietheo “MaHattie” Smith Lewis - 01/06/2026

    Rest in the arms of Jesus. All your earthly toils are over at last. You will live forever in our hearts and minds. I love you sister.

Condolences

  • 01/09/2026

    Eileen and Clifford

    You have our deepest condolences and prayers. May God continue to bless and keep you. Sincerely Clifford and Eileen Washington

  • 01/05/2026

    Ebony Saunders

    You was the rock to the family ima miss u dearly mommy Hattie!! Ima sit on it and wait on it your favorite saying 😢 praying 🙏 for my family ❤️

  • 01/03/2026

    Ted Moore

    Dear Family: Giving Honor to God, giving Him all the Praise for giving us Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior that we may have a path to His kingdom and have eternal life. We are saddened to hear the news concerning your Mother, Sister and our Cousin Hattie Lewis.. We share some of the pain and grief that confront you today, but only your immediate family understands the pain you endure now and for a lifetime. We know the space Hattie shared in your heart and mind will never be fill, but through the sharing of your time with family and friends reminiscing the special moments and interaction you had will soften some of the pain. As witness by family, friends and others, you will take this moment in your life to God and he will take you through these times. We know God will give you and the family the comfort you require. "Remember God will not give us more than we can bear", if He will take us to it, He will take us through it. God has a purpose for Hattie beyond our knowledge and comprehension; she has passed into sleep, a journey for all mankind and a step closer to God. I send you a passage that give me such strength in my time of need and found in 1st Thessalonians, 4 chapters, vs. 13-18. [13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words. May God bless the family to overcome this sorrow and hold you in His arms and comfort your pain. I pray the family fine peace and always remember the joy "Hattie" brought into your life and those around her. "Hattie's presents will truly be missed in our family, her hometown and our hearts, but not forgotten." Sincerely, Cousin Theodore (Ted) Moore and Carolyn Moore-Davis and Families

  • 01/03/2026

    Larry Hoskins

    To this family, I am so sorry to hear that my friend "MA HATTIE" has passed on from her earthly tent as her mansion has been prepared for her in heaven. Though she will be missed but never forgotten 💔, this family has my deepest condolences

  • 01/03/2026

    Nae manns Carson

    Praying for the family! Aunt Hattie was an beautiful soul . She will be missed 😢 iv know her all my life..love and condolences to the family.. Nae Manns Carson & family

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