of Jonesboro, AR
April 19, 1929 - November 16, 2022
It is with sadness on November 16,2022, that we announce the passing of Rev. Eskel Hoover Lewis (Jonesboro, Arkansas) born in Izard County, Arkansas (April 19, 1929). He served as a Free Will Baptist preacher and pastor of congregations in Arkansas and Alabama for over 65 years, including First FWB Church (Batesville, AR), South Highland FWB (Muscle Shoals, AL), Quail Valley FWB (Batesville, AR), and Ballew's Chapel (Grubbs, AR) among others.
Hoover had a passion for people! He often enjoyed meeting new people and stopping in the store or on the street to have a conversation with anyone he met. He was always willing and eager to minister to friends and neighbors wherever he lived. His life and devotion to his ministry impacted countless others in his life and those who were fortunate to know him will miss his kind and loving example.
He radiated a truly joyous spirit and was always adept at cracking jokes or wisecracks following by a wide-mouthed grin and an infectious laugh. He enjoyed watching his favorite St. Louis Cardinals or Arkansas Razorbacks whenever he could. He also cherished time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Willia Jean Lewis (Walden); his son, Clarence Lewis (Jean) of Nashville, TN; his daughter, LaDohnna Freeman and her husband, John of Jonesboro, AR; his great-grandson, Amos Vinson; his brothers, Everett Lewis, Elvie Lewis, Ernie Lewis, Wayne Lewis; his sister, Esther Stroud; his father, Herman Lewis and his mother, Emma Francis Lewis (Warnett). He is survived by his brother, Glen Lewis (Pat); his sister, Edith Crabtree (James); his grandchildren, Steven Lewis (Rachel) of Murfreesboro, TN, Jenny Hawkins (Kiley) of Nashville, TN, Nichole Lockwood (Daniel) of Nashville, TN, Amy Freeman of Nashville, TN and Laura Vinson (Drew) of Nashville, TN and his great-grandchildren, Corban & Dylan Lewis, Abigail & Evan Hawkins, Lilly, Griffin & Emma Lockwood, Joel & Elliott Vinson.
Funeral services will be Tuesday at 12:00 at Allen Chapel Free Will Baptist Church,629 Allen Chapel Rd, Batesville, Arkansas. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00am until service. Burial follows at Oaklawn Cemetery in Batesville.
In lieu of flowers, please consider Arkansas Free Will Baptist Cooperative Plan, PO Box 2110, Conway, AR, 72033.
Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Sign Guestbook
10 Condolence(s)
Jan Burrow Qualls
Thursday, November 24, 2022
Go rest on the mountain Rev your work on earth is done..
Vickey(Long) & Leo Branscum
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends. Hoover was truly a man of God. I was friends with LaDonna and have known Hoover since I started to school many moons ago.
With all our love,
Leo and Vickey Branscum
Keneth and Karen Walden
Monday, November 21, 2022
Uncle Hoover was devoted Christian man. He always advised me greatly and offered his lifetime of common sense to me in any of our conversations about life. He baptized me as a young man and took me under his wing when needed. A simple man with many talents who loved to listen and meet people. He particulary loved pecans almost as much as I do and I will honor him this Tuesday with such and each year afterwards in honor of all the great memories between us.
Pat Watkins
Sunday, November 20, 2022
Brother Hoover was a great man of God. He will be remembered and missed by all who knew and loved him. He is home.
Prayers for God’s comfort to his family during their time of loss.
Greg Vickery
Friday, November 18, 2022
A man of God who I had great respect for.
Tommy and Glenna Weatherford
Friday, November 18, 2022
Prayers for comfort
Ernie Lewis
Thursday, November 17, 2022
We were so sorry to hear of Hoover's passing. I met him years ago when his children sat on either side of me in chapel at FWBBC. He was a very nice guy, great pastor, and had wonderful children. He is joining a wonderful group of saints that went ahead of him.
Travis & Sue R. Lewis
Thursday, November 17, 2022
My uncle Hoover was a Special Servant from God! I doubt he ever knew he was my Billy Graham. I love him as we all do. This hurts immensely.
Good news is, he is with Christ, & his family. Hoover has earned his place in Heaven. I shall never forget him.
Travis Lewis. Wichita, Ks.
Larry Perry
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Bro. Hoover was a true man of God. A pleasure to be around him anywhere, anytime.
Wendy and Will Wilker
Thursday, November 17, 2022
We will always cherish the great times and memories we have of Bro. Hoover. We will miss him dearly.
Love
Wendy Wilker (Dunnem) and Will Wilker