Deacon Arthur Julius Lewis, Sr.

Celebration of Life services for Deacon Arthur Julius Lewis, Sr., 89, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, at True Light Missionary Baptist Church, 1518 Gerstner Memorial Dr., Lake Charles. Visitation will be held Friday, Oct. 26, from 1-4 p.m. at Semien-Lewis Mortuary in Jennings; from 6-8 p.m. at Bethel Metropolitan Baptist Fellowship Church, 1400 Enterprise Blvd., Lake Charles; and on Saturday from 9-11 a.m. at True Light Baptist Church.

Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery and Mausoleum with Military Rites accorded by a U.S. Army Honor Squad.

Deacon Lewis is the father of the co-owners of Semien-Lewis Mortuary, Donnie Page, Arthur J. Lewis II, Min. Franklin D. Lewis, Sr., and Kevin R. Lewis, Sr.

Deacon Arthur Julius Lewis, Sr.was anative andresident of Lake Charles. He entered eternal rest on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018, at his daughter’s home.

Deacon Lewis was born 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 U.S. 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. He retired after 37 years of service. After retirement, he worked 12 years with his brother, Lloyd “Shag” Lewis, in security at Sunlight Manor Housing Facility.

Deacon Lewis was baptized at an early age by Rev. M.T. Jackson at New Sunlight Baptist Church in Lake Charles, 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 Rev. Dr. Victor “V. E.” Washington until moving his membership to Bethel Metropolitan Baptist Fellowship Church in Lake Charles, pastored by Rev. J. L. Franklin and current pastor, Rev. Clyde Lewis. He was a chartered member of Bethel M.B.F.C. and served as a Deacon and member of the Finance Committee.

Deacon Lewis leaves to cherish his memories two daughters, Donnie Lewis-Page of Lake Charles and Tonya L. (Joseph) Patin of Taylor, Texas; five sons, Arthur J. Lewis, II of Baton Rouge, Minister Franklin D. Lewis, Sr., Kevin R. (Sandra) Lewis, Sr., and Charles W. Lewis, all of Lake Charles, and Gregory A. (Tabetha) Mackey of Kissimmee, Fla.; one sister, Lesby Lewis of Lake Charles; one brother, Benjamin Ray Lewis of Los Angeles, Calif.; 18 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; a special nephew, Michael John Lewis of Lake Charles; his caregiver, Ida Lewis; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Deacon Lewis was preceded in death by his wife, Ila Mae Mackey-Lewis; both parents, Isaac and Thelma 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-inlaw, Ivory V. Mackey; sister-in-law, Mary Kamara; and brother-in-law, Charles Mackey.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at semienlewismortuary.com .