Mrs. Helen White Lewis' Obituary
Mrs. Helen White Lewis was born February 4, 1919 in Meridian, MS and most recently lived at Life Care Center Winter Haven, Florida. She was married to the late Mr. Harrison (Wolfer) Lewis, Sr. who played baseball in the Old Negro Baseball League with Satchel Page and Hank Aaron. Mrs. Helen White Lewis was a devout Christian and member of First Union Missionary Baptist Church in Meridian, MS. One of the many memories and lessons that she leaves with us are the words of her saying, "If I am able to help someone along the way to do better, then I am pleased." Mrs. Helen White Lewis served as a Philanthropist to Feed the Children for more than 30 years. Mrs. Helen White Lewis's love for God continued while she lived in Florida. She regularly attended Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in "Okahumpka, FL. Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church immediately accepted and wrapped their love around her. She participated in weekly service, special programs,fellowship with other parishioners and held a special reserved seat in the pew. Her church family in Meridian continued to call her, pray for her and celebrated her with certificates that recognized her years of membership as the Longest Living Member of First Union Missionary Baptist Church. Now, young woman, don't be afraid. I will do what you ask. All the people in our town know that you are a very good woman. Ruth 3:11 ERV Mrs. Helen White Lewis received her AA degree from TJ Harris Junior College in Meridian, MS. She worked and retired from Head Start as a Social Worker and Site irector at many facilities for more than 35 years. She was known to many as Dear, Ma -'Dear, Mom, Momma, Mama, Mommy, and Mrs. Lewis. She was ltn elegant lady, proud, phenomenal, loving, caring, amazing, passionate, trusting and maintained a special connection with children and the elderly, as she would lovingly refer to senior citizens. Mrs. Helen White Lewis was known as the Traveling Granny because of her children living in different states. The Traveling Granny would attend weddings, graduations, baptisms, basketball and other sporting events, Christmas and other holidays in Virginia, Florida, Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Illinois, Georgia, Minnesota, Alabama, District of Colombia, California, South Carolina, Texas and Mississippi -the Traveling Granny was there! Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband brags about her and says," There are many good women, but you are the best." Proverbs 31:28b-29 ERV Mrs. Helen White Lewis supported her husband in sponsoring "The Harrison Lewis Annual Golf Tournament." The Harrison Lewis Annual Golf Tournament was in response to offering Blacks an opportunity to play golf during the time when it wasn't popular for Blacks to participate in golf events or play on a public course. Mrs. Helen White Lewis hosted out-of-state golfers to a "soulfood" dinner at her home to kick off the annual event. Golf participants awaited the chitterlings,fried chicken, collard greens, macaroni and cheese and crackling cornbread. Mrs. Helen White Lewis was a wife, a mother, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a caretaker, and most of all, she was a servant of the Lord. God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So your new life should be like this: show mercy to others. Be kind, humble, gentle and patient. Colossians 3:12 ERV Mrs. Helen White Lewis provided home schooling to her sick child to make certain that she remained at her grade level. She was the "Welcome Wagon" for the block. She would welcome new families into the neighborhood, keep the neighborhood as a safe haven for children when their parents weren't home and she was the person who took the envelope around house to house to collect contributions whenever there was an accident, birth or death to a neighbor. Size was a servant. Mrs. Helen White Lewis served in different capacities as a member of the Active Wives Club, the Birthday Club, the Red Hatters Society, the Sunshine Band, the PTA and the NAACP. She was always involved in making life fair and better for everyone. She would make sure that protesters and freedom marchers were fed by contributing bologna sandwiches and Kool Aid to participants so that they sustained their energy level. Taking care of others and "Doing the Right Thing" was Mrs. Helen White Lewis! She was extremely proud to have voted twice for the Frist Black President of the USA, Barack Obama and for the First Black Woman Vice President of the USA, Kamala Harris. She has lived through and made some powerful history! Mrs. Helen White Lewis, age 102, went home to be with the Lord March 1, 2021 at Life Care Center Winter Haven, Florida. She was preceded in death by her late husband Mr. Harrison (Wolfer) Lewis, Sr. and her children Mary Ann Kelley, Wilmore Johnson and Harrison (Truthmaster) Lewis, Jr. Those left to cherish her memories include Catherine (Larry) Wydermyer of Las Vegas, Nevada; Vivian (Alfred) Webster of Rock Hill, South Carolina; Joyce (Clifton) Garrison of Henderson, Nevada; Helen Marie Lewis of Winter Haven, Florida; Audray Lewi; of Lakeland, Florida; Eric (Gaye) Lewis of Melbourne, Florida, and Aprille Jackson
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