LEROY "TUCK BILL" LEWIS
April 8, 1953-April 3, 2012
Leroy "Tuck Bill" Lewis was born April 8, 1953, to the late Amaziah Lewis Sr. and Sevelia Lewis. He was the fifth and youngest son of 13 children. He departed this life Tuesday, April 3, 2012, at 7:10 p.m. at Duke Raleigh Hospital.
He was reared in Wayne County, and attended Wayne County public schools. He graduated from Eastern Wayne High School in 1971.
Leroy continued his education at Fayetteville State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in May 1975. He received from North Carolina State University his Masters of School Administration in May 2001.
He became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and was initiated Nov. 30, 1973. He was awarded a Fast Teachers Certificate Aug. 10, 1988, from the University of Hawaii.
He was employed by the state of North Carolina, and received several awards while employed at O'Berry Center in staff development. He later taught school in the Wayne County Public School System, as well as the public school system in Nash County, and served as an assistant principal.
After retirement from Nash County Schools, his love for teaching continued in the Wake County Public School System. He continued his employment until his health began to fail.
Leroy and his family attended Seventh-day Adventist Church in Parkstown, while employed at O'Berry Center.
Leroy was introduced and later married his wife, Lois Jean Batiste, Dec. 27, 1990.
Feb. 23, 2007, Leroy and Lois were baptized by pastor Dr. David Moore of Maranatha Seventh-day Adventist Church. Leroy was a diligent church supporter, and was elected and ordained as a deacon, and became a loyal adult Sabbath school teacher. He was active in church activities, and served as media technician and health leader.
Leroy's singing abilities were enjoyed by the congregation.
Some of his other past time activities included watching westerns and wearing western apparel.
His lifestyle included healthy eating and attending to his garden. He taught himself to play the bass guitar, and spent many hours with his friend, Clemethe Garden.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Elbert and Nathaniel Lewis, and two sisters, Vernell Bracey and Margie Bizzell.
He leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted wife, Lois of the home; two sons, Dechavis Wooten of Maryland and Antionio Batiste of Durham; two brothers, John E. Lewis of Fort Washington, Md., and Amaziah (Fannie) Lewis Jr. of LaGrange; six sisters, Lue Jean Wright, Teressa Artis and Marchell Lewis all of Dudley, Varah (Oscar) Lofton of Maryland, Frances Wooten of Goldsboro and Queenie (Albert) Reinhardt of Newton; two sisters-in-law, Mildred Lewis of Goldsboro and Doris Lewis of Paterson, N.J.; four aunts, Martha Richardson, Emma Jones and Daisy Ford all of Goldsboro and John L. Cox of LaGrange; two uncles, Lawyer (Carrie) Lewis of Goldsboro and William (Shirley) Lewis of Temple Hill, Md.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. at E.M. Matthews Funeral Home, 401 N. William St., Goldsboro.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Maranatha Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 212 E. Oak St., Goldsboro.
Following the services in the sanctuary, Mr. Lewis' delicate temple, along with his adored family, will be escorted to Old Mill Cemetery in E.M. Matthews angelic white fleet 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 April 6, 2012 3:26 PM