Betty Ewell Lewis

Celebrating the Life of

B etty E well

Lewis

June 30, 1943 – September 25, 2014

A Tribute to

Betty Ewell Lewis Betty Ewell Lewis

was born June 30, 1943 to the union of William Henry Ewell and Cinderella Jones Ewell in Paincourtville, Louisiana. At the age of 7, she journeyed from Ewellville to New Orleans and continued her education in the Public Schools of Orleans Parish – graduating from Booker T. Washington High School in 1962.

After her graduation from Booker T. Washington, she enrolled and graduated from Southern University at New Orleans.

Upon graduating from Southern, Betty was hired as the first black secretary at Tulane University School of Social Work. After five years at Tulane, she became the first black employee in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court System where she served diligently and enthusiastically for 30 years – retiring in 2005 as Jury Pool Administrator. Her employment at Civil Court afforded her the opportunity to meet and cultivate new relationships as well as minister to all those she encountered, leaving lasting impressions.

Being reared in a Christian environment, she accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized by her godfather, the late Rev. Freddie E. Southall in 1956 at Virginia Baptist Church in Ewellville, LA. Her involvement resumed immediately as she returned to New Orleans to attend New Zion Baptist Church and began to actively participate in the Sunday School, Baptist Training Union and weekly church services. Betty was also a member Benevolent Society, Baptist Young Women, Puppet Ministry and the UBAI Women’s Auxiliary.

Her ministry work included serving as the New Zion Baptist Church Clerk for 44 years.

She is remembered as the voice on the radio announcing the Church broadcast hour every Sunday afternoon at 3:30 pm. Her duties included announcements and welcoming new members with a Bible and their church membership packet.

Music was her passion. She was a member of the Young Adult, Radio and Mass Choirs.

She served as Director of the Children’s Choir for a number of years, then as the Business Manager of the Radio Choir. Serving as the facilitator for the Annual “Sing Sisters Sing” event of the Women’s Day Celebration was near and dear to her heart.

Betty Ewell Lewis June 30,

1943 – September 25,

2014

Her Story continued…

A few of her social affiliations included the Ebonettes, a close group of friends that met and engaged in social fun activities, and Dashiki Theater Group with whom enjoyed exhibiting her drama and theatrical skills.

Though she had no children born to her, she was a mother to many including, but not limited to, her younger siblings, nieces, nephews and the youth of the Church. She was a vibrant person who enjoyed life to its fullest even when she didn’t feel her best.

Betty took it upon herself to fill in wherever there was a need when it came to caring for the family. She gave unsparingly. At all family gatherings she made herself the center of attraction and the life of the party. She served as the family Choir Director for all family occasions. At the end of the family event her parting words were “See you at Church Sunday morning and be on time.”

On November 24, 1991, Betty was joined in Holy Matrimony to Charles Lewis, Jr., who preceded her in death in April 2005.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; 6 brothers: Joseph, Wilbert, William Henry, Sr., Walter, Ernest and Abraham; 6 sisters: Fannie, Flora Ewell, Alvirda E. Young, Louella E. Walker, Caroline E. Jewell and Mildred E. Carter.

On Thursday, September 25, 2014, she transited from a life of labor to eternal rest. She leaves to cherish her fond memories: 7 Sisters: Rosanna Ewell, Rita (Johnnie) Adams, Rosemary Honore, Marguerite (Lafayette) Gatling, Annetta Ewell, Debra Williams and Yvonne Batiste; 2 Brothers: Lawerence (Carolyn) Ewell, Sr. and Minister Charles (Pauline) Ewell, Sr.; Special nephew and nieces who she referred to as her children: Cylton, Joy, Jackie and Judy (God Child); 3 Aunts: Mildred Irvin, Alberta Jones, and Christine Green; 4 Uncles: Rev. George (Dorothy) Jones, Sr., Rev. Levi (Betty) Jones, Rev. Ernest (Rosie) Jones, and Israel (Elnora) Jones; 2 other God Children: Loretta and Jeremy; “Adopted” Sisters: Joyce D. Gilmore (Best Friend) and Julia Lacey; Devoted Friend and Companion: Elwood T. Davis; four generations of nieces & nephews, and a host of cousins, church family and friends.

“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness…Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

Proverbs 31:26, 30-31

Betty Ewell Lewis June 30,

1943 – September 25,

2014

Celebration of Life Order of Service

New Zion Baptist Church 2319 Third Street* New Orleans, LA Pastor C. S. Gordon, Jr., Officiating Saturday, October 4, 2014 * 10:00 a.m.

Processional ……………………... Ministers & Family Selection …. “I Will Trust in the Lord” … Mass Choir Scripture Readings: …... Psalm 23 & 2 Timothy 4:6-8 Prayer Prayer Response … “I Am Redeemed” … Mass Choir

Opening Remarks …………………………………………………………………… Deacon Theodore Smith Selection ……………………… “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand” ………………………….. Mass Choir Silent Reading Of Obituary ………………… Soft Music …………………………………. The Only Hope CONDOLENCES: General Church ………………………………………………………. Sis. Gloria B. Banks Music Ministry ………………………………………………... Sis. W. Wanda Stroughter Women’s Missionary Union ………………………………………. Sis. Lillie Pride Brown UBAI Women’s Auxiliary ………………………………………….... Sis. Annette G. Pete Faithful Hands of Praise Puppet Ministry

Selection ………………………………. “To God Be the Glory” ……………………………….. Mass Choir REFLECTIONS: Civil District Court ………………………………….. Honorable Judge Ethel Sims Julien A Classmate ……………………………………………………………. Mr. Alex I. Lewis A Friend ……………………………………………………….. Mrs. Mary Frances Jones Family …………………………………………………………………… Bro. Israel Jones Sis. Debra E. Williams Minister Charles Ewell Solo ………………………………………... “I Must Tell Jesus” ………………………... Sis. Loria Johnson The Eulogy ………………………………………………………………………….. Pastor C. S. Gordon, Jr. Solo …………………………………………………………………………………………… Sis. Sue Atkins Acknowledgement of Visiting Ministers Closing Medley …………………………………………………………………………………... Mass Choir The Parting Viewing D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home In Charge Benediction / Recessional

Betty Ewell Lewis June 30,

1943 – September 25,

2014

Simply Betty …

Betty Ewell Lewis June 30,

1943 – September 25,

2014

All Is Well Death is nothing at all.

I have only slipped away into the next room.

I am I, and you are you.

Whatever we were to each other, that we still are.

Call me by my old familiar name, Speak to me in the easy way which you always used.

Put no difference in your tone, Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.

Play, smile, think of me and if you want to, pray for me.

Let my name be ever the household word that it always was, Let it be spoken without effect, Without the trace of a shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.

It is the same as it ever was; There is unbroken continuity.

Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you, for an interval, Somewhere very near, Just around the corner.

All is well. –Henry Scott-Holland

Betty Ewell Lewis June 30,

1943 – September 25,

2014

My Sister No one will ever know the special bond we shared. We were often mistaken for twins because we looked so much alike, but you and I know that it went deeper than just "looka-likes." You did make sure they knew there was a few years difference in our age and I would tell them that my birth was only delayed by a few years.

We did have a lot in common even when it came to choice of clothes, shoes, favorite snacks, hair styles, and other likes and dis-likes. Many times we would end up buying the same shoes and clothes without the other knowing (of course my clothes were a bit larger than yours). Often times you would tell me not to bring too many shoes when I'd come to visit because I could always wear some of yours.

You would always make yourself available for me when I came to town. I will miss our late night talks while we rolled our hair before bed.

Thank God for a sister who was more than a sister for as far as I can remember you have always looked out for me and all of the family.

My last words to you on Thursday September 25, 2014 before you made your transition were "Rest, my sister, in the arms of Jesus. Your work was well done.� I assure you I will meet you when my work is done.

Your legacy will forever live on in the lives of your family and all those whose lives you touched.

YOU ARE SORELY MISSED YOUR "DELAYED" TWIN, MARGUERITE

Betty Ewell Lewis June 30,

1943 – September 25,

2014

Precious Memories

Betty Ewell Lewis June 30,

1943 – September 25,

2014

Precious Memories

Betty Ewell Lewis June 30,

1943 – September 25,

2014

Still Missing You They say there is a reason They say that time will heal But neither time nor reason Will change the way we feel.

For no one knows the heartache that lies behind our smiles, No one knows how many times we have broken down and cried.

We want to tell you something so there won't be any doubt, You're so wonderful to think of but so hard to be without.

We cannot bring the old days back, when we were all together The family chain is broken now, but memories live forever.

-Author Unknown

Betty Ewell Lewis June 30,

1943 – September 25,

2014

“I’m Going Up Yonder, I’m Going Up Yonder, To be with My Lord…”

Betty Ewell Lewis June 30,

1943 – September 25,

2014

Active Pallbearers Tyrone Chambers Michael Walker Darryl Adams

LeRoy Walker Cylton Ewell Johnny Adams, Jr.

Honorary Pallbearers Lawrence Ewell, Sr. Charles Ewell, Sr. Andrew Walker Israel Jones Johnny Adams, Sr. Marion Bracy Elwood Davis SPECIAL THANKS Special Thanks to the Medical Staff of West Jefferson Medical Center, Pauline Ewell, Rhodes Funeral Home & Staff for a job well done!

Acknowledgements The family of Betty Ewell Lewis is deeply grateful to everyone for the many acts of kindness shown. Thank you kindly for sharing in the Home-Going Celebration. Every expression of love, gifts, phone calls, visits, donations, and most of all prayers surely helped us through this emotional time.

May the Lord bless and keep you all in His loving care. Continue to keep us in your prayers as we will remember each of you in our prayers.

Sincerely, The Family

Repast

Arrangements

Internment

A. L. Davis, Jr. Multi-Purpose Building

D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home 3933 Washington Avenue New Orleans, LA 70119

Mt. Olivet Mausoleum 4000 Norman Mayer Avenue New Orleans, LA 70122

Design & Printing by “Our Celebrations of Life� (504) 453-2186 or (504) 338-8753 * ourcelebrationsoflife@gmail.com