Johnny Dale Hewett, 74, of St. Augustine, passed from this life on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at his home following an extended illness. A native of Lake City, Florida, Dale graduated in 1966 from Columbia High School where he played football, basketball and baseball. He graduated from Mississippi College in 1970 with a Bachelors’ Degree in Business. During his time at Mississippi College, Dale played football, baseball and ran track. In 1971, he married Charlotte Applewhite and eventually had 2 daughters. Following graduation, Dale began working in management at various hospitals throughout the south with the last hospital he worked at being in Gainesville, Florida. It was at this time where he transitioned to the insurance industry and began working at Florida Farm Bureau. In 1979, he was appointed manager for Putnam, St. Johns and Flagler Counties and moved to Palatka. During his tenure with Farm Bureau, Dale was a 3-time agent of the Year. In 1986, Dale and Ben Bates formed Bates and Hewett Insurance where he continued to work until retiring in 2007. Dale was very active in the community, having served as the President of the Kiwanis Club of Palatka, served on the Board of Directors of the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce and enjoyed volunteering his time in coaching little league sports and the girls high school softball team. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Palatka where he served as a deacon and also played on the softball team which won the National Championship in 1984. Dale and Charlotte moved to St. Augustine in 2000 and became active members of Crescent Beach Baptist Church. In retirement, Dale enjoyed exercising, spending time with his family and his many involvements with his church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John M. Hewett and Eleanor Johnson Hewett.
Dale is survived by his wife of 51 years, Charlotte Hewett, 2 daughters, Jennifer Smith (Zane) and Leah Sumara, grandchildren, Wes Smith, Ryan Smith, Michael Dale King, Kalani and Joshua Sumara, a brother, Jerry Hewett (Donna), a sister, Ruth Wilkins (Carl, deceased), sisters-in-law, Rebecca Walley (Ken), Gini Pickle (Mike) and Elizabeth Applewhite as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family.
Memorial services celebrating Dale’s life will be at 6:00 P.M. Sunday, October 16, 2022 at Crescent Beach Baptist Church with Pastor David Beauchamp officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday from 4:30 P.M. until the time of services.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to the building fund, Crescent Beach Baptist Church, 885 FL – 206, St. Augustine, FL 32086.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Dale’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.