Mae Hewett Melvin

Eva Mae Hewett Melvin, a beloved mother, grandmother, devoted educator, and cherished member of her community, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2026. Born on November 2, 1934, in Brunswick County, North Carolina, Eva Mae lived a life marked by faith, dedication, warmth, and an enduring passion for music.

Affectionately known to many simply as “Mae” or “Ms. Mae,” she spent 91 years sharing her gifts with family, church, students, and community. Her lifelong love of music began early; at just 11 years old, she began playing the piano in church. What started as a young girl’s service soon blossomed into a lifetime of musical ministry and teaching. Over the years she served as a piano teacher, church choir director, soloist, and organist, inspiring generations through both music and faith.

Eva Mae’s devotion to her church and scripture shaped much of her life. She taught Sunday School for adults and young soon-to-be adults, directed Vacation Bible School, and faithfully served in numerous church roles throughout the years. She even served as pastor of a church in Elizabethtown, reflecting the depth of her faith and her dedication to sharing the Word. Studying scripture was one of her greatest passions.

As a young mother living in Virginia, Eva Mae was part of a gospel quartet known as The Melodettes, which appeared on the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). Music remained a constant thread throughout her life, and she especially cherished the many years she spent playing piano for the East Bladen High School Glee Club, beginning in the 1970s. Through these experiences, she touched countless lives and helped nurture a love for music in her students and community.

Eva Mae was the devoted daughter of the late Lennell Hewett and Alene Lancaster Hewett. She was united in marriage with her beloved husband, Arnold Melvin, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in passing by her sisters, Louberta Clemmons, Mary C. Royal, and Janice Pigott.

Throughout her life, Eva Mae’s family remained the cornerstone of her strength and joy. She is survived by her son, Gregory Melvin of Fort Worth, Texas, and her daughters, Donna Astern and Teresa Jones, both of Elizabethtown, North Carolina. She took immense pride and joy in her grandchildren—Seth, Chris, Jonathan, Sarah, and Griffen—and her great-grandchildren Alayna, Thomas, Emma, Cannon, Abby, Chloe, Maddie, and Lucy. These precious family members were a lasting testament to her enduring love and devotion.

Eva Mae was known for her honesty in both speech and grammar, a trait that friends and family remember with affection. Outside of her musical pursuits, she enjoyed simple but meaningful hobbies. She loved working jigsaw puzzles and was known for baking lemon meringue pies for special occasions as heartfelt expressions of gratitude and love. She was also a talented seamstress, sewing clothing for her children and for others in the community.

She was a steadfast supporter of her husband’s business, faithfully assisting behind the scenes with paperwork, phone calls, and whatever else was needed. While she might have joked that gardening was not her greatest talent, she nevertheless enjoyed fresh vegetables and always appreciated the beauty of flowers.

Friends and family will gather to honor Eva Mae’s memory with a visitation on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM at Bladen-Gaskins Funeral Home & Cremation Services, located at 3131 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Elizabethtown, North Carolina.

A graveside service will follow on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Marshburn / Melvin Cemetery, located near 9603 US-701 Highway in Elizabethtown.

Eva Mae Hewett Melvin’s spirit, kindness, faith, and dedication to those she loved and taught will remain an inspiration. Her legacy endures in the hearts of her family, friends, students, church family, and all whose lives she enriched.