Laura Lee Manheim Hewitt

Laura Lee Manheim Hewitt, 75, of Charleston, South Carolina, wife of William B. Hewitt entered into eternal rest Monday, September 15, 2014. Her Funeral Service will be held Saturday, September 20, 2014 in St. Michael's Church at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Downtown Chapel.

Laura was born on March 12, 1939, the second of six children to the late Ruth Simpson and Lyndon White Manheim in Rutherfordton, NC, but was raised in Greenville, SC. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Bill, her four children and sixteen grandchildren plus three sisters, Patricia Wearmouth (William), Kathryn Yarborough (Jesse), and Betsy Assing (Richard) and a brother Lyndon.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Douglas.She graduated from Greenville High School and Winthrop University where she was class Vice President.

Laura excelled at many things, but she was most proud of her children, John Randolph (Randy) (Denise), Lyndon Craig (Craig) (Cassidy), Brian Keith (Nicole), Kimberly Hewitt Thomason (David), and her 16 grandchildren: Justine, Abigail, Wesley, Savanna, Katy, Jack, Will, Laura Jane, Alexandra, Mackenzie, Harrison, Caroline, and Peyton Hewitt and Miller, Graham, and Brooks Thomason.

Laura's life was underpinned by a strong Christian Faith. She was a member of St. Michael's Anglican Church where she served as Chair of the inaugural Global Impact Celebration. She also was a Prayer Minister, Greeter, Alpha Small Group Leader, among other things.

Laura was a strong advocate for philanthropic organizations, and her leadership capabilities led to her being Board Chair of the MUSC Storm Eye Institute and the Charleston Wine and Food Festival, President of the Board of the Charleston Stage Company and the Christian Family Y, and Vice President of the Charleston Symphony. She also was a member the Board of the Trident United Way, The Coastal Community Foundation, The American Red Cross, The Winthrop University Foundation, and the SC Governor's Mansion Committee. She chaired innumerable galas and other events for the Spoleto Festival USA, Charleston Stage, the Charleston Symphony, and others.

Prior to returning to South Carolina in 1986, Laura was active in community organizations in New York, California, Connecticut and Virginia, including serving as the President of the US Coast Guard Scholarship Fund in Washington, DC.Winthrop University recognized Laura in 2006 with its Distinguished Service Award and in 2011 with the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award for exceptional service to Winthrop University and her community at her 50th reunion, of which she was Class President and Reunion Chair.

The Charleston Wine and Food Festival honored Laura with the Laura Hewitt Culinary Legend Award to individuals of culinary importance.Laura and Bill were awarded the Lowcountry Philanthropy Award in 2000.She loved to travel with her husband and visited nearly 50 countries. Laura was a second mother to some, a mentor to many, and a willing listener for most. She was outspoken and always thought her legacy would be that she said it like it was.The person she most wanted to meet was Jesus Christ. She surely has.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Michael's Anglican Church, 72 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401, or to the Charleston Promise Neighborhood, 1819 Meeting Street Road, Suite B, Charleston, SC 29405.