Joan Ewing

The Ewing-Lopez Family, the Eastwood church family, and the Lake Charles community are joined by citizens around the world mourning the loss of Joan Ewing, who passed from this life Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at the age of 86.

Betty Joan Clark was born November 26, 1934, in Kinder, Louisiana. The first of two children, and only daughter of B. L. and Vida Lee Clark, she lived the idyllic childhood of the local pastor’s child in a small, rural Louisiana town. She could regale with tales of trains, travelers, and the stuff of the magical time of her childhood. Even as a young girl, it was obvious that immeasurable musical abilities resided in her and unmatched creativity was a part of who she was and would be.

Into her teen and young adult years, she traveled to camps and conferences assisting with music for various special services.  It was on one of these jaunts that she met a young man who stood out from the rest.  He was talented, for certain, she had never heard a voice like his, and, oh, that smile!  Joan Clark became Mrs. Murrell Ewing on November 24, 1959, and the adventure began.

In the early days of their ministry together, Murrell and Joan traveled, leading choirs, providing special music, and eventually settling in Alexandria, LA, where they served as Assistant to Pastor G.A. and Vesta Mangun at what is now The Pentecostals of Alexandria.  The time came, though, for them to return “home” – and home was Lake Charles and Eastwood Pentecostal Church.

The ministry of Joan and Murrell Ewing – together and individually – would eventually span the globe.  With their hearts and lives firmly anchored at Eastwood, they traveled near and far sharing their inimitable talents and anointing. So often his sermons became their songs, as the songwriter in her heard more than just the words preached, but the heart from which they came.  She is one of the greatest songwriters and lyricists of this era.  Her songs have been recorded by some of gospel’s elite.  While her husband was a truly remarkable minister and speaker, Joan, in her own right, was an incredible speaker and dramatist. Whether in a local church or a conference setting – for small audiences or full auditoriums - she had an inimitable gift for making Bible stories and lessons come to life in unforgettable ways.  The finest example of these stories coming to life was when, in the 1970s, she created and produced, “The Other Side of Glory”, a unique retelling of the Easter Story, at their local church.

The legacy of Joan’s gift to the world is lyrically woven into the songs that Murrell sang, heard the world over, and planted within the hearts of everyone she loved.

Joan “Mimi” Ewing was preceded in death by her parents, B. L. and Vida Lee Clark, her brother Ricky and her beloved husband, Murrell. She is survived by two children: a son, Landy Ewing of Nashville, TN, and a daughter, Vonnie Ewing Lopez (husband, Pastor Aaron Lopez) of Lake Charles.  She leaves behind a dynasty of adoring grandchildren and great grandchildren:  Matthew Ewing and wife, Natalie, along with their sons, Wyatt, and Asa; Taylor Ewing Trahan, and husband Jimmy, A. J. Lopez and wife, Lindsay, and Lindsey Brooke Lopez, all of Lake Charles. 

It would be impossible to capture the influence Joan Ewing had on countless individuals who crossed paths with her.  She was the best of pastor’s wives – loving and counseling and caring for parishioners for over 40 years.  She was the best of friends.  She had an innate ability to see both the seriousness and the humor in any given situation. She could laugh with you, cry with you, pray with you, and share the deepest of wisdom.  She will be missed by everyone who was ever privileged to call her friend.

Her Home Going Celebration Services will be held at Eastwood Pentecostal Church on Thursday, August 19, 2021, and Friday, August 20, 2021. Visitation will be held at the church Thursday from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Pastor Anthony Mangun and Pastor Aaron Lopez will officiate. A Farewell Service will be held at the church Friday at 10:00 a.m. with internment following at Ritchie Cemetery in Moss Bluff.

Arrangements in care of Johnson Funeral Home.