Francis Emmanuel Hewitt, 83, of Callaway, MD, died on September 23, 2012 at St. Mary's Hospital, Leonardtown, MD. He was born November 7, 1928 in Valley Lee, MD to the late Irving Graves Hewitt and Edith Cecilia Combs Hewitt.

Francis was a lifelong resident of St. Mary's County. He was a graduate of Little Flower School and Charlotte Hall Military Academy. He proudly served his country in the National Guard from 1949 to 1951.

On December 21, 1947, he met the love of his life while decorating Holy Face Church for Christmas. On April 20, 1950, he married his beloved wife, Mary Lillian Johnson Hewitt, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Leonardtown, MD. Together, they celebrated 62 years of true love.

He was co-owner of Hewitt Lumber & Supply Company in Lexington Park and Callaway until retirement in 1993. He and his wife owned Joseph B Payne & Associates, a personnel form business. Francis was a devoted, life-long member of Holy Face Catholic Church, where he served on many committees through the years. He was also active in many clubs and organizations, including the Lions Club of Lexington Park, Knights of Columbus Council 265, Elks Club Council 2092, the Moose Lodge, Board of Directors for SMECO, Advisory Board for Maryland National Bank and the St. Mary's County Planning Commission.

His hobbies included his many tractors, including the Kubota, Cub and Bolens; his collection of antique tools, collection of brass, gardening, and politics and current events and card playing. He loved being with people, and was always kind and compassionate. However, his greatest love was his family.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, William Francis Hewitt of Callaway, MD and Judith Victoria H. Sterling ( Dr. Blair Wood) of Dameron, MD; his sisters, Mary Alma Hampton of Leonardtown, MD and Joan Victoria Burroughs (Ben) of Mechanicsville, MD; eight grandchildren, William Sterling III, Thomas Sterling, Christina Sterling, Scott Paul, Molly Ridgell, Amy Hewitt, Heather Elaine Hewitt, and William Francis Hewitt II; one great-grandchild, John Baylen Dean; his brothers-in-law, Joseph H. Johnson of Lexington Park, MD and Leonard Eugene Johnson (Cathy) of Arnold, MD.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his son, Robert Irving Hewitt, his grandson, Christopher Hewitt; his brother, Preston Ignatius Hewitt; his son-in-law, William Sterling, Jr.; and his brother-in-law, Paul Hampton.

Family will receive friends for Francis' Life Celebration on Wednesday, September 26, 2012, from 4 PM to 8 PM at Holy Face Catholic Church, 20408 Point Lookout Road, Great Mills, MD 20634. Prayers will be recited by Reverend Joseph Calis at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 11:00 AM at Holy Face Catholic Church. Interment will follow.

Serving as pallbearers will be the Grandchildren.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Little Flower School, 20410 Point Lookout Road, Great Mills, MD 20634 and/or Second District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1, Valley Lee, MD 20692.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.