Eldon Jefferson Lewis , Sr.

A celebration of life for Eldon Jefferson Lewis, Sr., 88, of Thomasville will be at 10am on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at Southside Baptist Church in Nahunta, Georgia. Ministers Johnny McDaniel and Timothy Reynolds will officiate and interment will follow in Rob Lewis Cemetery. Mr. Lewis went to sleep in Thomasville, Georgia but awoke in the arms of Jesus on April 1, 2016. Pallbearers will be his grandsons William and Robert Gailey, Robert and Phillip Smith, Zachary, Nicholas and Jeffrey Lewis. Born December 12, 1927 in Brantley County, Georgia, he was the son of the later Joseph H. “Pete” Lewis and Mary Magdalene Ham Lewis. Mr. Lewis grew up in Brantley County attending school with his older brothers and younger sisters. He went to work at an early age due to the pre-mature death of his father Pete Lewis. He worked to help support the family and his mother Maggie Lewis. On December 26, 1927 he married Annie Yvonne White Lewis, who preceded him in death. Mr. Lewis worked for Palm Furniture Company for 25 years served as a Pastor with Church of God of Prophecy for 20 years and with Lewis Insurance Agency for 20 years. He held many positions with Kiwanis and Exchange Club in Waycross and was active in Church Business and Ministerial Associations. He received numerous accolades for his service and devotion to his church and civic clubs he was affiliated with. Mr. Lewis was a great husband, father, and Pastor touching hundreds of lives and always in a positive way. His hobby and greatest enjoyment was being around people. He never met a stranger and with his quick wit always had a story to tell bringing joy to every room and conversation. His only disappointment that he ever mentioned was not accepting Christ earlier in his life and that he did not win more souls to salvation. Survivors include his daughter Wanda Vernice Gailey and her husband Bill of Rydal, Georgia, a son Charlie Elvin Lewis and his wife Fran of Thomasville, Georgia, a daughter Sophia Bonita Smith and her husband Derrell of Palatka, Florida and a son Eldon Jefferson Lewis, Jr. and his wife Amy of Asheville, North Carolina. Also surviving are grandchildren, Will, Rich, Zack, Nick, Robert, Lynsey, Phillip, Jessica, Jeffery, 16 great grandchildren and 1 on the way. Other survivors include 2 sisters, Wilma Oleta Lewis Strickland or Hortense and Edith Narvine Lewis Altman of Nahunta and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Yvonne, a son Raphael Eldon Lewis and siblings Elliot Hershel Lewis, Joseph Dalton “J.D.” Lewis, Hugh Donald Lewis, Noel Douglas Lewis, Sara Elizabeth Lewis Dowling and Laura Faye Lewis Depratter. The family will receive friend from 5-7 PM at Frye Funeral Home in Nahunta, GA on Tuesday.