Isiah Obediah Sewell

November 20, 1938 - July 24, 2018

Isiah Obediah Sewell, affectionately known as “Ike,” went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 24, 2018. Born November 20, 1938, in Lexington County, South Carolina, he was a son of the late Joseph Preston Sewell and Annie Bell Sewell. An excellent student, Ike graduated from Lexington Rosenwald High School in 1957 before graduating Cum Laude from South Carolina State University in 1961 and George Washington University in 1967. At an early age, Ike joined New Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church where his loved of the Lord was nurtured. He enjoyed reading the Bible, participating in Sunday School, and singing gospel songs. After relocating to Maryland, he joined Ward Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church, where he participated in a variety of organizations. Upon his return to South Carolina in 2010, Ike joined St. Philips African Methodist Episcopal Church where he taught Sunday School, served on the Steward Board, and was a member of the Senior Choir. All of Ike’s accomplishments could never be listed, but because he was a man who led by example, it is not necessary. His loving generosity touched too many lives to mention. His words of wisdom and faith encouraged, and his melodious voice praising the Lord lifted spirits in the churches in which he served. A partial list of Ike’s awards and honors include: American Legion Civic Scholarship (1957); Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities (1960-1961); Distinguished Military Graduate (1961); Nominee Congressional Operations Fellow, Department of the Navy (1975); one of six influential Black Engineers in Government—Black Engineers Magazine (1987), Who’s Who Among Black Americans (1988-1989); Carnegie Corporation of New York Civic Award for Service to the White House Initiative, Science and Technology Advisory Committee on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (1989). While not exhaustive, these are among the honors that were closest to his heart. Isiah’s first wife, Julia Elizabeth Sewell, with whom he shared three children: Kevin Isiah Sewell; Kendra Ceasette Sewell; and Keith Preston Sewell, all of Maryland; went home to be with the Lord May 8, 2003, after a long and loving life together. Later, Weyden “Joe” (Annette Ceilia) Wedderburn became a son to him. When Ike married the former Catherine Bush of Gadsden, South Carolina, on April 20, 2010, he accepted Andre Sheldon Eleazer as one of his sons. He leaves to cherish precious memories his loving wife Catherine; his children: Kevin Isiah Sewell, Kendra Ceasette Sewell, Keith Preston Sewell, Joe (Annette) Wedderburn, and Andre Sheldon Eleazer; his grandchildren: Rashaad Jamaal Sewell, KaRon Ceasar Sewell, Karel Weyden Weddweburn, Khari Hakeem Sewell, Isiah Jabari Sewell, Jayden Christopher Sewell, and Windell Wesley Waheed Wedderburn; two sisters: Annie Martha (Clayton) Corley and Shirley Law; three brothers: Horace Sewell, Robert Sewell, and Donald Sewell; mother-in-law Reverend Pearl Elmore Mc Cord; Ceceli “Pennye” (Alvin Sr.) Elmore and the entire Elmore family; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.