Beverly Lewis-Salley

Beverly Lewis-Salley passed away on Tuesday, January 26, 2021. She welcomed the call of Him who "knows and does all things well."
Born on November 5, 1921, she was Mary Beverly Marks Boyd, first-born to Jefferson and Virginia ("Vertice") Boyd in Blackridge, Virginia. Beverly's siblings were Mildred, Alma, Thelma, Luquilla, Minerva, Hazel, John, Raphael, Monroe and Otho, each of whom preceded her in death.

Mary and her siblings worked on the farm caring for livestock, as well as planting and harvesting cotton, tobacco, peanuts and vegetables. Together with her sisters, Alma and Thelma graduated together from a private Presbyterian high school in Burkeville, VA. After graduating from high school, Beverly attended St. Paul College (a Historically Black College and University) in Lawrenceville, VA, majoring in Business Administration. While there, she met her first husband Wayman Thaddeus Lewis. Together they moved to Schenectady and both worked for GE. Beverly immediately found a church home at Friendship Baptist Church where she was a faithful member for 70 years serving on the Pastor's Aid Society, Women's Day Committee, and as a long-standing member of the Senior Choir. Beverly's good works also made a huge difference in the Greater Schenectady Community. She was a member of the Carver Community Center, the Pleasant Valley Conservation Club, and an active member of the NAACP.

She was a shining example for her family as someone living a life worthy of one's calling. After retirement, she became the Executive Director of the Parker Day Care Center. The City of Schenectady recognized Beverly in April 2015 with a proclamation during Women's Month citing her many life-time contributions.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, son Walter Lewis, Riley Salley and granddaughter, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Xaviera Aleathea "Lee Lee" Bass.

Beverly leaves behind her children: Wayman, Jr (Dora), Zenobia, Xavier (Marlyn), Denise, and Vinson (Yolanda); grandchildren, Bridget Camilla Lewis, Garnet Regina "Gina" Brown, Wayman Thaddeus Lewis III, Macenje "Che Che" Florence, Mazoka-Youpa (Roy), Michele Marie Robinson, Jana Nicole Lewis and Jillian Mary Lewis;11 great-grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren; four special friends whom she considered sons, Gary Tedeshi, James O'Neil, Christian Guether and Stefan Ruemenapp, brother-in-law, Robert Brown; longtime caregiver Odessa Paige, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Beverly's memory to the Alzheimer's Society of America, www.alz.org. Click on the DONATE button and follow the prompts for an "in Memory of" gift.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 from 9-11am. Funeral services will be private.