Mary Dewitt's Obituary
Mary Stella Bages DeWitt brought love and warmth, kindness and joy to the world and it is with great sadness that we share her passing. Mary died peacefully at the age of 85 on Saturday night, April 11, 2026, at NHC Nursing Home in Somerville, Tennessee. Born and raised in Galesburg, Illinois, she was the youngest of four children of Greek immigrants, James Bages and Sophia Drivas. She graduated from Galesburg High School in 1958 and attended Brown Business College.
Mary shared a lifelong love with her high school sweetheart, Terry DeWitt. Mary and Terry were married for 61 years and built a life centered on devotion to family, resilience, and enduring companionship. Mary and Terry began their family in Galesburg before moving with Terry’s career to Independence, Missouri in 1963, then to Pine Bluff, Arkansas in 1971, and finally settled in Memphis in 1973.
Shortly after relocating to Memphis, Mary began working at Northeast Mental Health Center, where she formed many lifelong friendships. After the center closed, she continued to work part-time in mental health with Dr. Steven Rice at Psychiatric Associates of Memphis until her retirement in 2008.
Mary found great joy in her family, being a mother and a YiaYia, she cherished spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They share fond memories of family holidays and birthday celebrations often featuring her delicious Greek food and cookies. They remember the countless times she would break out in song about anything and everything, sometimes making up songs in English, Greek or both to entertain the children.
Mary had a deep appreciation for nature. She loved spring flowers and fall leaves. Together with Terry, she spent many hours tending to their flower gardens and bird watching at their home. She was also an avid basketball fan of the Memphis Grizzlies and the Memphis Tigers, another passion she shared with Terry and their children.
Mary is survived by her three children: Katherine Ray of Memphis, Tennessee; Jennifer DeWitt of Valparaiso, Indiana; and Phillip DeWitt (Lou) of Moscow, Tennessee; four grandchildren, Stella Marise (Brian) of Bartlett, Tennessee; Bud DeWitt (Allyson) of Olive Branch, Mississippi; Kelsey Ray Banerjee of Memphis; and Sophie DeWitt of Lafayette, Indiana,
and four great-grandchildren, all of whom will carry her memory forward with love.
She is also survived by her sister, Anne Bages of Claremont, California; her brother, Gus Bages of Runnemede, New Jersey, her brothers-in-law, Martin DeWitt (Sharon) of Duluth, Minnesota, and Michael DeWitt of Bemidji, Minnesota and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Terry Eugene DeWitt, her parents, and her sister, Katherine Killen.
A celebration of life will be held in early June; details are to be announced later. Memorials may be made to the Lupus Foundation of America or the Michael Chisamore / Terry DeWitt Drawing Award Scholarship at the University of Memphis Foundation, Department of Architecture.
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