Ann Marie Lewis

Ann Marie Lewis, 95, of Hudgins, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. She was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and graduated from Mathews High School, class of 1948. Ann’s life was like an intriguing novel, one you might have found in her immense library. She could always be found reading the newest thrillers or romantic releases. Ann was a career-minded lady. In 1947, when the Central Intelligence Agency was established by President Truman, Ann was sixteen. She had her sights set on Secretarial School. She furthered her education and graduated from Smithdeal-Massey Business School in 1950. Recruited by the CIA in 1950, she boarded a cargo ship for Okinawa, Japan. There she met her second husband, Robert “Bob” Bell, who was employed by the Aviation Division of the CIA. She and Bob then became proud parents of two boys, Steven and Ronald. Returning to the United States, Ann and Bob would continue their careers in the agency at Langley Headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia. Ann then met her third husband, Carl E. Duckett, and served as Carl’s secretary during a very tumultuous time for our country. During the twenty-year Vietnam War from 1955 to 1975, Ann and Carl married. Being the secretary to the Deputy Director of the CIA in 1966, Ann found herself in an even more intriguing time in world history…. Watergate. Ann and Carl would come through the Nixon/Ford administration to retire together from the agency and wanted to return to Mathews, Virginia. They then purchased an old farmhouse on Cattail Branch Road and, over a 2-year period, would turn it into a glorious home, where they entertained friends and dignitaries. Her love for entertaining was always formal and a grand occasion. Carl died of cancer in 1992 at the age of 69. Ann would then meet her fourth husband, Col. Marion Avery “Lew” Lewis. He brought something new into Ann’s life, five daughters, and many joyful times followed. Always referred to as the girls, many holidays and birthdays would be fulfilling times. Lew passed in 2010. Entertaining would slow down, and old friends would pass on. Ann would remain in her home enjoying her cats and her remaining extended family until moving to Brookdale Community in Williamsburg, Virginia.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Granville Grant, Robert Bell, Carl Duckett, and Marion Lewis, Jr.; two sons, Steven and Ronald Bell; and a step-daughter, Lesley Pond.

She is survived by her 3 step-children, Marilyn Orange, Sammie Hudson, Arlene Sheppard; dear friend, David Rose; and her cousin, Dee Diggs.

Ann’s interment will be private at the Gwynn’s Island Cemetery. A remembrance of her life will be at her home, 253 Cattail Branch Road, Hudgins, Virginia 23076. Date to be determined.