Obituary of Shelby Hewett

Chapel Hill - Shelby Jean O'Neal Hewett, 73, of Chapel Hill, NC passed away on Saturday, December 3, 2016, at her home surrounded by her loved ones. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She was the life and heart of her family. Shelby was born October 23, 1943 in Chatham County, NC to the late Benjamin Theodore O'Neal and Mattie James O'Neal and was married to her loving husband of forty-eight years, Bennie Bryant Hewett. She loved animals, and gardening and being surrounded by nature, especially the mountains. She loved exploring the Parkway and riding the Great Smokey Mountain Railway. She also enjoyed painting and writing poetry. She was a huge fan of westerns and the late, great, John Wayne. Shelby worked at Thell's Bakery in Chapel Hill for ten years and loved meticulously hand decorating cakes. In 1973 she became employed at Blue Cross and Blue Shield; she worked there for twelve years, then in 1986 she joined her husband working by his side at Hewett's Ceramic Tile business for twenty-one years. In addition to her parents and husband, Shelby was preceded in death by a still born daughter, Amanda Carol Hewett. Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Sondra K. Ray of Chapel Hill, NC, her brothers: William H. O'Neal, Sr. of Graham, NC, and Jimmy O'Neal of Mebane, NC her sisters: Barbara Fields of Chapel Hill, NC, and Patricia O'Neal of Graham, NC, three grandsons: Stephen Brinitzer of Lake Elsinore, CA, and Julian and Collin Ray of Chapel Hill, NC, four great-grandsons: Anthony Brinitzer of Pittsboro, NC, and Landon, Aiden and Ethan Brinitzer of Lake Elsinore, CA, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 7, 2016 from 7:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. at Walker's Funeral Home of Chapel Hill. Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Thursday, December 8, 2016 at Walker's Funeral Home of Chapel Hill, Chaplain Gail Smith officiating. Interment will follow at New Salem Baptist Church, Pittsboro, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to UNC Hospice. Walker's Funeral Home of Chapel Hill is honored to serve the Hewett family. Online condolences may be offered at www.walkersfuneralservice.com.