of Jonesboro, AR
November 2, 1930 - February 11, 2019
Willia Jean Lewis, 88, of Jonesboro, passed away, Monday, February 11, 2019 at the Community Compassion Care Center of Jonesboro. Willia Jean was born in Charlotte, AR, in 1930. She graduated from Charlotte High School at 17 and earned an associates degree from Capital City Business College. She worked at the International Shoe Company, Southside School, Sheffield nursing home, Batesville Bearing, and Newark Senior Center. A highlight for her was the appointment by the governor to the State Auctioneers Board. She enjoyed gardening and raising flowers, and most of all, spending time with her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The role that brought Willia Jean the greatest joy and satisfaction was being a pastor's wife for 47 years. She served as Sunday School teacher for teens and adults, loved teaching children's church, and trained teachers. She was passionate about knowing and sharing the Word of God. Her well-worn Bible was filled with favorite underlined passages and notes. She desired others would know and love God as she did.
Willia Jean was active in the Free Will Baptist Woman's Auxiliary, holding offices at the local, district, and state levels. She was able to energize others with her enthusiasm and zeal for God's work. Her teaching and example will live for many years through the lives of those she touched.
She was preceded in death by her parents Estel and Burne Dean(Coad) Walden, and her brother, Frank Walden.
Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Hoover Lewis; son, Clarence (Jean) Lewis of Nashville, TN; daughter, LaDohnna (John) Freeman of Jonesboro; grandchildren, Steven (Rachel) Lewis of Murfreesboro, TN, Jenny (Kiley) Hawkins, Nichole (Daniel) Lockwood, Amy Freeman all of Nashville, TN, Laura (Drew) Vinson of Nampa, ID; great grandchildren, Corban and Dylan Lewis, Abigail and Evan Hawkins, Lilly, Griffin and Emma Lockwood, and Joel Vinson.
There will be a visitation Friday, February 15, 2019 at Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home, 1900 West Washington Avenue in Jonesboro from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
Funeral services will be Saturday, February 16, 2019 at the First Freewill Baptist Church in Batesville at 1:00 pm, with Wayne Wilson, Brett Morris and Trent Bradley officiating. Burial will be at Oaklawn Cemetery in Batesville. Pallbearers will include Steven Lewis, Kiley Hawkins, Daniel Lockwood, Drew Vinson, Kenneth Walden and Chuck Lewis.
Visitation will precede the service beginning at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers please consider, Welch College,1045 Bison Trail, Gallatin, TN, 37066 or Arkansas Free Will Baptist Cooperative Plan, PO Box 2110, Conway, AR, 72033.
LaDohnna and John sorry to hear about Mrs. Lewis passing. God bless you and the famiy.
So sorry to hear of Mrs Lewis passing. All of the Shaver girls thought alot of her, she taught us alot in Bible school and Brother Hoover taught us alot in he preaching of Gods word.
God bless the family
Her kindness and love for Gods word will live in the hearts of all who had the honor to know her during her life on earth. Those are the words I hope give you comfort during this time. Brenda Early
She was such a woman of God and an inspiration to everyone whose life she touched. May God bless all of you and give you comfort. Becky Wood
Mrs. Lewis was always kind to me as one of LaDohna's classmates.
Mrs. Lewis welcomed me into her kitchen and her home as a place full of both laughter and lessons about life. Precious memories. Kay
The lady was beyond any words. We loved her and was the greatest neighbors we had. I love going places with her she was like a mother to us. Kenneth myself and my children will always have special place in out hearts and so will bro. Hoover.
We love you