Mary Lewis Underwood Lohr passed away on January 20, 2025, at the age of 87, as a result of complications during the recovery period after surgery.
Mary was born on October 16, 1937, at home in Union Grove, Alabama. Mary and her twin sister, Marion Lewis Brown, arrived in this world to complete a family of five daughters. Mary spent her childhood in Union Grove. At the age of five, she tragically lost her father, James “Pete” Lewis, leaving her mother, Bonnie King Lewis, to raise her five daughters as a single mom. Though her childhood was not always easy, it was filled with unconditional love and lots of fun and laughter based on the many stories told to family over the years.
Mary was married after high school and business college and eventually moved to Huntsville, Alabama, where she began working as a civil servant at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. As the wife of an enlisted soldier, both of her children, Scott L. Underwood and Richie L. Underwood Fontaine, were born at Fox Army Hospital at Redstone Arsenal. Mary left Huntsville to live on various military bases, including those in Texas and Germany. As Alabama was always home, Mary returned to her civil service career, from which she eventually retired in 1993. After her retirement, her life was dedicated to her beloved grandsons. Between 1995 and 2000, she was blessed with three grandsons, Jacob, Steven, and Zachary, to whom she became their first daycare sitter and stayed in very close contact until her death. The love between Mary and her grandsons was certainly mutual. She was also blessed with one sweet great-grandson, Raiden, who she cherished equally.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Bonnie and Pete Lewis, her sister, Virginia Lewis Hackleman, her husband, Vincent C. Lohr and recently her precious niece, Sandra Brown Fossett.
She is survived by her son, Scott L. Underwood (Lori); her daughter, Richie L. Underwood Fontaine; grandsons, Jacob B. Fontaine, Zachary C. Fontaine, and Steven B. Underwood; and great-grandson, Raiden Fontaine. She also leaves her precious sisters, Georgia Lewis Gipson, Martha Lewis Hardin, and Marion Lewis Brown. In addition, she is survived by several generations of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mary dearly loved her large family and treasured the time spent with each and every one.
A public visitation will be held at Laughlin Service Funeral Home in Huntsville, AL from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 23rd. A separate graveside service will be held later on Thursday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. at Union Grove First Baptist Church – Cemetery. (3920 Union Grove Road, Union Grove, AL, 35175)
In lieu of flowers, it is requested that a donation be made to The Crim Compassion Fund at Women & Children Huntsville Hospital. These donations will directly benefit children being treated for cancer at WCHH and the St. Jude Satellite Clinic. (HH Hospital Foundation Pediatric Oncology /Crim Fund, 801 Clinton Avenue, Huntsville, AL 35801- Attn: Tracey James)
