Enfield, NC
Funeral services for Cleopatra “Cleo” Cyrus Hewlin, age 99, who died on Saturday, September 19, 2026, will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. from the Bear Swamp Baptist Church in Littleton, NC, with Rev. Deral Hedgpeth presiding. Burial will follow in the Scott Family cemetery.
She is survived by her daughters, Eleanor Hardy of Charleston, SC, Juliette Brown (Clinton) of Clinton, MD, Wilma Kelly (Joseph) of Upper Marlboro, MD, sons, Claude Hewlin Jr. (Wanda) of Hampton, VA, Tyrone Hewlin (Willie Mae) and Rodward Hewlin (Arnetta) both of Enfield, NC, seventeen grandchildren, and twenty-one great grandchildren.
The viewing will be held at the Richardson Funeral Home chapel in Louisburg, NC, on Friday, September 25, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m..
11 Comments
Jobina Brown
To My Beautiful Grandma, My Best Friend, My Queen, and My Angel in Heaven ❤️🕊️
Grandma, how do I even begin to put into words what you meant to me? 💔 You lived to be 99 years old, and although I am so grateful for all the years, memories, love, and wisdom you shared with me, my heart is broken knowing that I have to learn how to live in a world without you physically here.
You were so much more than my grandma. You were my best friend, my safe place, my comfort, my biggest blessing, and one of the greatest gifts God ever gave me. You were someone I could always turn to for my spiritual guidance, someone whose love made everything feel a little easier with just your touch, and someone who held such a special place in my heart that no one could ever replace.
I will forever cherish our conversations on life and womanhood, your hugs of healing, your laughter of my adventures, your wisdom on being a mother to Julian, and all the little moments that I wish I could relive just one more time. If I could have one more conversation with you, one more hug, or just a few more minutes sitting beside you, I would give anything for that moment. I would hold you a little tighter, listen a little longer, and tell you a thousand more times how much I love you.
Grandma, 99 years is a beautiful lifetime, and I know how blessed I am to have had you in mine. But no matter how many years we are given with someone we love, it never feels like enough when that person means everything to you. My heart wasn’t ready to say goodbye, and a part of me never will be as i continue to weep for you.
Thank you for loving me the way you did. Thank you for the memories, the lessons, the strength, and the unconditional love that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. You helped shape the person I am today, and your love will forever be a part of me. Even though I can no longer see your beautiful and angelic face or hear your anointed voice, I will carry you with me in everything I do as your last name of Cyrus and Hewlin have always carried weight and will live within me all the days of my life.
I am crying as I write this but I find comfort in knowing that you are no longer in any kind of pain and that your beautiful soul has found peace. I know for certain that God welcomed you into His loving arms and surrounded you with the peace and joy you so richly deserve. Until we meet again, I will look for you in the little things, in the beautiful memories, in the quiet moments, and in the love that will never leave my heart for you ever.
To your children- To every aunt and uncle, my parents ( Juliette :Pookie: and Clinton Brown)- Thank You ALL for what you did for her- every Zoom Call, every bill that was paid, every late night, every holiday missed that you needed to spend with my BFF, my queen, every prescription that was filled, every meal brought, every scripture read, and every medical advice given I thank YOU ALL, your nieces and nephews we thank you as you honored thy mother and thy father as you were taught to do. My bff went as she lived in peace and I salute and give a standing ovation to ALL my aunts and uncles for the job well done my good and faithful servants.
Rest peacefully, my sweet Grandma. 💐❤️ You may have left this earth at 99 years old, but your love will live in me forever. You were my grandma by blood, my best friend by choice, and my angel for eternity.
I love you Grandma more than words could ever explain. There will never be another you, and there will never be a day that I won’t miss you.
Until we meet again, my Grandma. Save me a place up there. 🕊️❤️
Forever your grandchild, forever your best friend, and forever grateful that I got to be loved by you. 💔🙏🏽
Jo!
Margaret Parrish
The Eastman High School Class of 1973 sends prayers of comfort and condolences to our classmate Wilma Hewlin Kelly and the Hewlin family🙏🏽
Genea Luck
To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, and I know Aunt Cleo is rejoicing to see her children and Uncle Claude, who left us suddenly and too soon. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted by God. To God be the Glory for 99 years and for her everlasting life with our Father.
Alvin and Glendora Silver
Dear Hewlin and Cyrus Families,
We are sending our love and sincere condolences and prayers. We will remember that Aunt Cleo was our last Aunt Matriarch of the Hewlin Family. Aunt who was gentle, patient and beautifully spirited. Quiet in voice but mighty in love, she spoke through kindness, compassion, and a smile that could calm any storm. A devoted church Mother and a true mother figure to our family, she “LOVED” unconditional and lived with grace. Her presence and her impact will be everlasting. Family, always remember that a life lived with so much love, never really ends, but goes on forever in the heart of those who remember all the cherished and precious memories of our loved one and will remain with us always…Today…Tomorrow…Forever… “GOD is our refuge; and “our” strength…Psalm 46:1 and Revelation 21:3-4
With our lover and prayers, niece and nephew
Alvin and Glendora and Silver Family
Pamela Richardson Silver
I met Ms. Cleo many years ago while working with the Haliwa Saponi Tribe’s Meals on Wheels. She was always a joy to be around. Very soft spoken and full of love. Sending my deepest condolences to the family. You are in my prayers.
Mamie Jordan
Ms. Cleo had such a calming spirit, offering a kind smile whenever I saw her at church or out in the community. I remember that she and Deacon Hewlin loved eating at K & W, my husband and I would often run into them when we dined there. She will be missed by those who knew her, but to the Hewlin family who have lost their Matriarch you are in my prayers. I believe that God will strengthen you during this difficult time and in the days to come.
Janice Cyrus-Perry
Sending my deepest condolences and prayers to you during this sad, yet joyful time. I know that Cousin Cleo is totally at peace.
Devona Battle
You will be truly miss . I enjoyed getting to know you lady bug . I miss your smile .
Mabel Taylor-Jones
God only chooses the best. Again, He has selected one of the most delicate roses in any garden. Ms. Cleo was such a valiant woman, who portrayed poise, patience, kindness and lots of love. May the life she lived continue to speak for her. Sending my sincerest condolences and prayers to her entire family. You were tremendously blessed to have such a jewel as a part of your family. May she now rest in paradise. See you in the morning…….
Rodward L Hewlin, Jr. (RJ)
Grandma, I miss your laugh and your smile so much. You taught me so much about life, faith, and loving others, and I’ll carry those lessons with me always. Thank you for being such a loving grandmother and for all the ways you made me feel loved. I wish I could hear your voice and hug you one more time. I love you, Grandma, and I’m so grateful I got to be your grandson.
Lisa Harper Family
I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your sweet mother, grandmother and mother-in-law. May God surround you all with his compassion, love and care. Certainly it may feel so fresh of another grief, and one so heartfelt, that prayers are lifted up for the Hewlin and Cyrus families for God to continually be by your sides and give solace during this time of bereavement. Thank God for her ninety-nine years of life and that her living was not in vain. God bless you all.