Johnnie René (Cole) Lewallen

BRUNSWICK – Johnnie René Lewallen, 75, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2026, in Brunswick, Maine.

René was born on July 23, 1950, in Newport, Ark., the third of nine children, to Johnnie and Katherine H. Cole. She was raised in a Christian home with seven sisters and a brother whom she loved dearly. She was seldom spotted around the neighborhood without a song in her heart and a book in her hand. Her life was a testament to joy, laughter, love and kindness.

René was happily married to Kenneth Lewallen for 50 years, moving from the Midwest to New England early in their marriage. She earned a degree in nursing shortly after graduating from high school, and went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Her business and medical careers took flight, with a valuable and successful career in nursing: hospital, county and collegiate health, and industrial health before finally retiring after a lengthy career as an insurance manager. The world is considerably brighter because of René’s love and compassion in unselfishly caring for the health and well-being of all people she came in contact with.

René enjoyed crafts in her spare time, creating cards for all occasions. She also supported many charitable organizations.

René will be tremendously missed by her loving husband and all her family and friends, as she was a great example of Christ’s love. She will always be remembered with respect and adoration.

René was predeceased by her mother, Katherine H. Cole; grandmother, Odessa Freeman Dixon; and older sister, Brenda Patricia Rogers.

René is survived by her loving husband, Kenneth; sisters Beverly Newhouse of Houston, Texas, Michelle Cole (Conrad) Rucker of Wichita, Kan., Camille Cole of Wichita, Kan., Angela Benton of Wichita, Kan., Lisa Cole of Wichita, Kan., Montina Cole (Shireen Lewis) of Washington, D.C., and brother, Michael (Annie) Cole of Omaha, Neb.; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.