On September 16, of this year, God called home our loved one, George Hewlett lll, a brilliant musician, artist, and singer. He was our eldest sibling. When I wrote about our family’s journey out of poverty in my first book, “The Tangled Web,” the first chapter is entitled “Where’s Tippy?” in honor of him.
George was born in Nesbitt, Mississippi. Our father (Dad) was serving in the Army during WWII. He was stationed in Camp Prescott, Arizona. Our mother (MaDear) wrote to him that on his last furlough, she became pregnant and now they were expecting their first child. Dad was overjoyed and looked forward to meeting and loving his first child. He had concerns because his family was living in Mississippi during legal segregation. His goal after discharge was to move his family out of Mississippi to Tennessee. Tennessee had compulsory school laws.
He was the eldest child of Charlotte Wallace Hewlett and George Hewlett, ll. He was preceded in death by our loving parents; sister, Viola Hewlett Jacox (Vie); brothers Clifford Hewlett (Lil Bro) and Ronald Hewlett (Rom). He leaves his loving wife, three children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, his sister (Francie Mae), and a host of loving relatives and friends.
When he was a child, MaDear, called him “Tippy.” He was a curious and inquisitive child. He and Cliff (Lil Bro) were two years apart in age and went on many adventures. MaDear gave him the nickname because he loved to tip off and explore. It was on one adventure when he discovered he could look at an object and draw exactly what he saw. He took his artwork to his grade school teacher, and she didn’t believe it until he drew what he saw in her classroom.
We grew up in a Christian household. Tippy accepted Christ at an early age at Lake Grove M.B. Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Our grandparents and parents instilled in us to walk a Christian walk, no matter how difficult. It was very difficult, but we kept God first.
When he was a teenager, Tippy lived with a relative, the late Professor Clifton Mosely (Cousin Fessor). Before he was 16 years old, his life was threatened twice. He was intelligent and outspoken. This was a no-no in the segregated South. Jim Crow laws- a collection of state and local laws were in place to keep Black people from advancing. MaDear and Dad made a difficult decision. This decision was made to spare his life and so he could continue to excel.
Tippy took piano lessons from a local piano teacher in Memphis. Because of his musical gift, she encouraged him to take lessons from an accomplished musician. He studied classical piano under the tutelage of Colie Stoltz, a well-known big band musician and music store owner in Memphis. The South was segregated at the time, but Mr. Stoltz recognized his abilities and encouraged him. He was the first Black student in his class.
Tippy was a 1962 graduate of Geeter High School in Memphis, Tennessee. He was class salutatorian, class president, and president of the student council. He could play every instrument but chose to play trumpet in the band, sang in the choir, and played piano. He was editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, member of the gentlemen’s club, and was also a self-taught artist.
After graduating high school, Tippy auditioned for admission to DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. He earned a music and academic scholarship. While at DePaul, he lived with relatives and worked part-time as a reporter for the Chicago Defender. Later, he studied Commercial Art at the Academy of Art in Chicago.
After serving four years in the Air Force, he completed his studies at Woodbury University in Los Angeles and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design. He was a certified interior designer and a member of the California Interior Design (CCID).
Tippy worked for U.S.Customs for 10 years and the Internal Revenue Service for 21 years. During his employment with U.S. Customs, he worked in collaboration with Taliesin West Architects in designing and building the U.S. Border Inspection Station at Lukeville, Arizona.
When he was employed with the Internal Revenue Service, he worked with a joint venture of architects, engineers, and the city of Los Angeles Department of Airports. This joint venture was responsible for designing and building the Tom Bradley International Terminal at the Los Angeles International Airport.
Tippy was a car enthusiast and loved to discuss and sketch airplanes. He sketched the beautiful airplane posted in this article.
He loved God, his family, and sharing great stories. Death leaves a heartache nothing can heal, but love leaves a memory no one can steal.
Fly high Tippy! We don’t have to wonder where you are!
Francie Mae. October 6, 2024