Mrs. Ethel Mae Lewis

LEWIS, Mrs Ethel Mae - Age 95, passed away Thursday, February 11, 2016 at her residence in Culleoka, Tennessee. Family hour 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 20, 2016 at Southeast Christian Church of the Apostolic Faith, 4171 Lapeer Rd. , with funeral service commencing at 12:00 p.m. Elder Kenneth Brown officiating. Interment Lovedale Memorial Cemetery, G-5175 E. Bristol Rd. Burton, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 11:00 a.m. Saturday. Mrs. Lewis will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Friday. Sister Ethel Mae Lewis was born on August 16, 1920 in Kokomo, Mississippi, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Charlie and Clara Thomas. She embraced Holiness at a young age. Accepting Christ into her life, Ethel was baptized in the muddy creek waters of the Mississippi, receiving the Holy Ghost shortly thereafter. Her faith in the Lord was unshakeable. In 1937 Sister Lewis was united in Holy Matrimony to Otto Lewis, Sr. From their union, the couple had eight children, whom they showered with unconditional love. In 1963 Sister Lewis and her husband packed up their family moving to Flint, Michigan, with the expectations that there was a fully furnished house waiting on them. To their disappointment there was no such house. Immediately Sister Lewis put her faith into action and began to pray. God heard her prayers and made a way for her and her family to move into a five bedroom, 2 bathroom house located at 730 E. Lorado St. Sister Ethel continued to pray. God connected her to the late Elder John A. Brown and his lovely wife Sister Earnestine Brown, through her niece Velma, who helped and guided her to furnish the new home and clothe her family. While talking with them, they told her about Bethlehem Temple Church at 918 Spencer St. Following the path the Lord was guiding her on, this became her new church home, under the leadership of Elder B.T. Scott. She was a faithful and fervent worker in the church. Some of her duties included Sunday School teacher, Missionary Choir member, Usher, and various duties within the Missionary Department. Sister Lewis continued her work for the Lord when the church relocated to 3401 Detroit St. (now Dr. Martin Luther King Ave.) After many years of service, she chose to make Southeast Christian Church her new home, under the guidance of the late Elder John A. Brown. Sister Lewis dedicated 15 years working as a custodian at Whittier Jr. High School, as well as working as a Teacher’s Assistant for 2 years. Sister Ethel Mae Lewis was a true servant of the Lord. She loved the church and the Saints of God. Sister Lewis was a woman of deep faith and conviction. She would often say “God is looking for Holiness and without Holiness no man shall see God”, “There’s only Heaven and Hell, and nobody can miss both places”. The church, servicing God, and the spiritual welfare of her children was the focus of her life. She raised her children with a strong hand of discipline and in the fear of admonition of the Lord. When she went to church, the children went to church. Sister Lewis displayed before her children her love of God and Holiness by obeying the Word of God. She was an example of true Holiness and as she followed Christ she led some of her children to follow her into Holiness, as they are still serving the Lord today. Sister Lewis was always willing to entertain strangers, help those in need, always giving sound advice and correction when needed, and giving love and compassion to others. She gathered her faith and strength from the authority of God’s word, which she read every morning before she even ate her breakfast. Sister Lewis stood firm in what she believed and was not afraid to express it. Her display of Holiness today so richly blessed our memories and gives us strength to carry on. Today we rejoice in the knowledge in Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whom she faithfully, without wavering, served for over seventy years. May the legacy of her never ending generosity and hospitality continue on in her children whom she loved so dearly. Sister Lewis was welcomed into glory early Thursday morning on February 11, 2016 at her home in Culleoka, Tennessee. Sister Ethel Mae Lewis leaves to cherish the wonderful times shared with her 4 daughters, Eveline (Joseph) Smith of Flint, Alma and Linda Lewis of Culleoka, TN, and Brenda (Eddie) Merchant of Detroit, MI; 3 sons, Otis (Jerry) Lewis of Flint, Ezra (Charles) Lewis of Mississippi, William (Debra) Lewis of Lewisburg, TN; grandchildren, Great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; beloved nephew, Deacon Joe Lewis; the Southeast Christian Church family; many other Saints, friends and neighbors and all the beloved children of her late sister, Madie L. Harvey. Sister Lewis was preceded in death by her husband Otto Lewis, Sr.; son, Otto Lewis Jr.; parents; 6 siblings; and friends, Sister Myrtle Winstead and LaCresia Paige.

Mrs. Ethel Mae Lewis

August 16, 1920 - February 11, 2016