JOHNNY LEE LEWIS SR.
Jan. 19, 1941-Dec. 14, 2011
Deacon Johnny Lee Lewis Sr., Goldsboro, son of the late Mr. H.B. and Mrs. Eunice Lewis, departed his earthly home Wed-nesday, Dec. 14, at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Goldsboro.
Deacon Johnny Lewis, 70, was born Jan. 19, 1941.
A former Lenoir County resident, he was a graduate of Frink High School in 1959. He later transitioned to Wayne County (Goldsboro), where he started a family and a 36-year career as a physical therapist technician at Cherry Hospital.
He was a man of honor, character and integrity, who often placed the needs of others before his own.
Deacon Lewis was a warm, soft-spoken leader, who led with gentleness, love and humility. Pursuing to live a life that reflected Jesus Christ, he led his family and friends in doing all he could to please the Lord -- being one of the first to arrive at church service and the one to lock the doors after the benediction.
He loved being a servant to all. All of his deeds were done with a smile and a genuine belief that all of it was simply his "reasonable service unto God."
Deacon Lewis was involved in a number of church and community activities: Superintendent of Sunday schools, a former deacon board chairman, president of Choir 1 of Central Heights Free Will Baptist Church, Sunday school teacher, president of Central Heights Community Outreach, vice president of Wayne County Political Awareness PAC, member of LaGrange Frink Alumni and Friends Association, financial secretary of Northwest "B" Deacon's Fellowship, treasurer of Northwest "B" Joint Union and conference trustee, secretary of Lewis/Wooten Family Reunion and worked closely with many other community initiatives.
He enjoyed praising his Lord and savior through song. When he wasn't singing in one of the choirs of his church, he spent tireless hours of fellowship and ministry (52 years) as a part of The Twilight Gospel Singers.
He was preceded in death by siblings, a sister, Mabelle McLauren, and a brother, Henry Floyd Lewis.
To rejoice and cherish his memory are his loving wife, Ella Hicks Lewis, of 48 years; his daughter, Zsa Zsa "Punkin" (Timothy) Robinson; two sons, Johnny (Sidney) Lewis Jr. and Christopher (Tina) Lewis; 15 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, James (Georgia) Lewis and Thaddeus "Tic" (Ernestine) Lewis; seven sisters, Nancy Brooks, Bertha (Alvin) Johnson, Bessie (Charles) Jackson, Sarah Armstrong, Willie Vera (Paul) Peoples, Beatrice (Charles) Gillis, Rose Merita (Bobby) Simms; a brother-in-law, Clarence (Velma) Hicks; three sisters-in-law, Kathleen Hughes, Ruby (James) Isler, Sharon Lewis, Daisy Hicks; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins, godchildren and friends.
A visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at E.M. Matthews Funeral Home.
A service of remembrance will be held Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, at 11 a.m. at Central Heights Free Will Baptist Church, 302 Ervin Drive in Goldsboro.
Following the services in the sanctuary, Mr. Lewis' delicate temple, along with his adored family, will be escorted to Old Mill Cemetery for interment rites.
Mr. Lewis' earthen vessel is peacefully resting at E.M. Matthews Funeral Home, where the Lewis and connected families are receiving prestigious service.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on December 16, 2011 1:48 PM