Nettie Hewitt

Nettie Mae Hewitt, née Sawyers, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2026, in Mooresville, Indiana, at the age of 94. Born on March 21, 1932, in Indianapolis, she was the beloved daughter of Clifford Sawyers and Bertha B. Dawson Sawyers. A Christian, Nettie lived a long and meaningful life marked by devotion to her family, her home, and the many people whose lives she touched with her gentle spirit. Nettie was the cherished wife of the late Louis Mackey Hewitt Sr., and together they shared a life built on love, commitment, and family. She is also preceded in death by her son, Harry Dale (Dinky) Keys and son-in-law James Lee Ringley Sr.  She was a devoted mother to Juanita Mae (Keys) (Timmons) Ringley, Beverly J. (Keys)(Michael) Munn, Mark Allen (Brenda) Keys, and step-son Louis Mackey Hewitt Jr. Her greatest joy was found in the family she nurtured, and she leaves behind a treasured legacy as a grandmother of 18, a great-grandmother of 31, and a great-great-grandmother of 10. Her family will always remember her as a loving presence, a steady source of comfort, and a woman whose strength and kindness shaped generations. Nettie was known for her loving nature and her remarkable willingness to care for others. She was always kind and went out of her way to help those in need. It was not unusual to wake up and find someone sleeping on the couch, because Mom was always helping somebody. Her compassion was not limited to words but was shown through a lifetime of selfless action. She cared for her husband while he was in hospice and cared for a bedridden mother for 18 months, all while raising three small children. After Louie’s death, she opened her home to several people at different times who had no place to stay. Her life was a quiet but powerful example of generosity, resilience, and unconditional love. In addition to her devotion to family, Nettie enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. She loved outdoor activities such as camping and fishing, and she also enjoyed crocheting. These interests reflected her patient and creative spirit, as well as her appreciation for peaceful moments and time spent with loved ones. Whether she was outdoors, working with her hands, or caring for someone in need, Nettie brought warmth and sincerity to everything she did.  Those who knew Nettie will remember her as a woman of faith and compassion, someone who lived with grace and concern for others. Her life was a blessing to her family and to all who had the privilege of knowing her. As the writer Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Nettie made people feel loved, welcomed, and cared for, and that is the legacy she leaves behind.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Both events will take place at Stevens Mortuary, 5520 W 10th St, Indianapolis, IN 46224. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery, 9700 Allisonville Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46250, at 3:00 p.m.

Nettie Mae Hewitt will be lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.  Her life was one of love, faith, and service, and her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of her family and friends.