Deacon Arthur Julius Lewis, Sr.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8, (KJV)

Deacon Arthur Julius Lewis, Sr., 89, a native and life-long resident of Lake Charles, LA. was called home by his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at his daughter's home.  Deacon Lewis was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana on May 3, 1929 to the late Isaac and Thelma Shorten Lewis.  He was a graduate of Second Ward High School in Lake Charles and later enlisted in the United States Army in 1951 and received an Honorable Discharge in 1953.  He was employed as an Insurance Agent with Universal Life Insurance Company and later became the first African-American Meter Reader with United Gas Company which later became Entex Gas Company.  After retiring from Entex after 37 years of employment, he was employed for 12-years with his brother Lloyd "Shag" Lewis in security at Sunlight Manor Housing. Deacon Lewis was baptized at an early age by Reverend M. T. Jackson at New Sunlight Baptist Church in Lake Charles, LA. where he was a Layman and past President. He also served on the Usher Ministry, Male Chorus and was later ordained as a Deacon by the late Reverend Dr. Victor "V. E." Washington until moving his membership to Bethel Metropolitan Baptist Fellowship Church in Lake Charles, LA pastored by Revered J. L. Franklin and current Pastor, Reverend Clyde Lewis. He was a chartered member of Bethel Metropolitan Baptist Fellowship Church, serving as a Deacon and a member of the Finance Committee at Bethel.

Deacon Lewis was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching and supporting the St. Louis Rams (LA Rams) and the Dallas Cowboys. He was an excellent cook, loved baking cakes and eating desserts.  Even after retirement from the gas company, he was called upon numerous times by friends and family to check their gas systems and to light pilots.

He married Mary Ellen Fondel in 1957 and to that union four children were born, Donnie Lewis-Page, Arthur J. Lewis, II., Minister Franklin D. Lewis, Sr., and Kevin R. Lewis, Sr.  He later married Ila Mae Mackey in 1970 and to that union, there were three children, Gregory A. Mackey, Charles W. Lewis and Tonya Lewis-Patin.

Deacon Lewis leaves to cherish his memories, two daughters, Donnie Lewis-Page of Lake Charles and Tonya L. (Joseph) Patin of Taylor, TX; five sons, Arthur J. Lewis, II of Baton Rouge, LA., Minister Franklin D. Lewis, Sr., Kevin R. (Sandra) Lewis, Sr., and Charles W. Lewis all of Lake Charles, LA., and Gregory A. (Tabetha) Mackey of Kissimmee, FL; one sister, Lesby Lewis of Lake Charles, LA; one brother, Benjamin Ray Lewis of Los Angeles, CA; eighteen grandchildren, Tywanna L. (Alex) Dushime of Denham Springs, LA., Lieutenant Christopher C. (Isabella) Doshier of Navarre, FL., Christopher S. (Nicole) Reado, James M. Lewis, and Jennifer L. Lewis all of Baton Rouge, LA., Tristan (LaShonda) Pete of Houston, TX., Toccara (Kenneth) Babineaux of Iowa, LA., Franklin D. Lewis, II of Lake Charles, LA., Kevin R. Lewis, II. of Lake Charles, LA., Tomika Mackey of Houston, TX., Miriam & Desiree' of Kissimmee, FL., Ashley, D'Nicholas and Isaac Lewis all of Baton Rouge, LA., Bryson Ardoin-Lewis of Spring, TX., J'Von Gatewood, Noah and Logan Patin all of Taylor, TX; twenty great-grandchildren; a special nephew, Michael John Lewis of Lake Charles, LA; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Deacon Lewis was preceded in death by both parents, Isaac & Thelma Lewis; his wife, Ila Mae Mackey-Lewis; four brothers, Carol, James, Miland and Lloyd Lewis; grandson, Caleb Joseph Patin; son-in-law, Darol Wayne Page; mother-in-law, Relevia Mackey; father-in-law, Ivory V. Mackey; sister-in-law, Mary Kamara; brother-in-law, Charles Mackey.

Celebration of Life Services will be at 11:00 am Saturday, October 27, 2018 at True Light Missionary Baptist Church, 1518 Gerstner Memorial Drive, Lake Charles, LA 70601.  Visitations will be held 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Friday, October 26, 2018 at Semien-Lewis Mortuary in Jennings and 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Bethel Metropolitan Baptist Fellowship Church, 1400 Enterprise Blvd., Lake Charles, LA. and 9:00 am - 11:00 am Saturday, October 27, 2018 True Light Baptist Church.  Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery & Mausoleum, 2646 Opelousas Street, Lake Charles, LA.  Repast will be at Hope Complex, 1401 Moeling Street, Lake Charles, LA.