Marie V. Lewis

Marie V. Slaughter Lewis was born on April 23, 1930, in Spotsylvania, VA to the late Benjamin Slaughter and Flossie Jackson Slaughter. Blessed with 96 years of life, Marie’s journey was one of faith, family, hard work, sacrifice, and service. She possessed a caring spirit and a deep devotion to the people she loved.

Marie was raised in a large family alongside her siblings, Hugh Slaughter, Ernest Slaughter, Ralph Slaughter, Chester Slaughter, Jean Simmons, Iretha Frazier, and Arlene Blair. She was the last of her siblings to pass, marking the close of a treasured generation of the Slaughter family. As one of the family’s last great matriarchs, Marie carried generations of memories, family history, wisdom, and traditions.

On May 22, 1946, Marie married the love of her life, Robert Edward Lewis Jr. Together, they built a life centered on God, family, commitment, and service. Their union was blessed with two daughters, Elsie Gerald and Carol Cherry, and their marriage endured for more than six decades.

Faith was at the heart of the life Marie and Robert shared. They were devoted members of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, where Robert served as a Deacon and Marie served alongside him as a Deaconess. They loved serving the Lord and His people, and their faith was reflected in how they lived and cared for others.

Marie dedicated approximately 20 years of service to the federal government with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Following her federal career, she worked for Prince George’s County Public Schools as a school bus aide, continuing a life of dependable service and care for others.

Marie’s devotion was especially evident in the care she gave her family. During the later years of Robert’s life, she faithfully cared for him until his passing on June 9, 2009. After her daughter Elsie Gerald suffered a stroke in 2012, Marie devoted approximately 10 years to helping care for her. Even as Marie grew older, she continued doing what came naturally to her—taking care of her family.

Family meant everything to Marie. She worked to keep everyone connected and was known for calling loved ones simply to check on them, offer encouragement, share advice, or hear their voice. Those calls were her way of reminding everyone: you are family, you are loved, and you have not been forgotten.

On August 17, 2026, at the age of 96, Marie peacefully completed her earthly journey. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Deacon Robert Edward Lewis Jr.; her daughter, Elsie Gerald; her grandson, Etrice Cherry Jr.; her parents; and her siblings.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Carol Cherry and her husband, Etrice Cherry; her grandchildren, Rev. Al Gerald and his wife, Angel Gerald; James Sewell; Angela Jabbie and husband Kawsu; Evelena Makowski; Glen Cherry; her beloved great-grandchildren; her surviving brother-in-law, Deacon Horace Simmons; and she had great nieces, nephews, extended family, church family, and dear friends.