Mabel Lewis

Mabel W. Lewis Mabel W. Lewis, a long- time resident of Bristol Tennessee, passed away quietly on April 18, 2010, at the age of 94 at Myrtle Beach Manor in Myrtle Beach, S.C. She had suffered and endured many years with dementia. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, Joe B. Lewis; and her third son, William Richard "Dick" Lewis of Myrtle Beach. Surviving Mabel are her sons, Harry Martin Lewis of Fredericksburg, Va., and Dr. Joseph Thomas "Tom" Lewis of Sammamish, Wash.; six grandchildren, Mrs. Betsy Ann Moreno of Hong Kong, China, Mrs. Marcie Michelle Percival of West Hartford, Conn., Dr. Mark Thomas Lewis of Sammamish, Mrs. Aimee Marie Parsons of Sammamish, and William Richard "Rick" Lewis Jr. of Frederick, Md., and Robin Annette Lewis of Frederick. Also surviving are 11 great- grandchildren, David and Pablo Moreno of Hong Kong, China, Maddie, Grace, and Caroline Percival of West Hartford, Conn., Zach, Nick, and Alexa Lewis of Sammamish, Davis and Emily Parsons of Sammamish, and Alyssa Lewis of Frederick. Mabel was born in Camp Hill, Ala., on April 29, 1915, to Jack and Mattie Wilson. At the age of seven, she was placed in a catholic orphanage in Tampa, Fla., along with her three younger sisters and a brother. She and one sister lived in the orphanage until graduation from high school. Two sisters and her brother were adopted. She never saw her brother after adoption. She was later reunited with her two adopted sisters after leaving the orphanage; the reunion with her sister, Betty, occurred in 1962 after 40 plus years of separation. This reunion was a joyous occasion and made national news. After high school, Mabel attended one year of nursing school but could not afford to continue. She later worked as a nursing aide in Bristol for a number of years and she would have loved to have made nursing a career. These early years helped to produce a very strong, determined, loving lady with room in her heart for everyone, but most of all a total devotion to her family. Mabel met her husband during the construction of the first TVA dam, Norris Dam. At that time, she was living with an aunt and uncle who worked for TVA. Husband-to-be, Joe B. Lewis from Chilhowie, Va., was hired by TVA for the construction. Mabel and Joe were married on Feb. 18, 1936. Mabel and Joe and family lived in a number of locations in East Tennessee and western North Carolina as the TVA system was built. In 1949, they "settled" in Bristol Tennessee area. From 1949 till 1960, they lived in a very comfortable log cabin on TVA property below South Holston Dam. What a great place for three sons to "grow up". In 1960, Mabel and Joe moved to Marlyn Hills in Bristol Tennessee. They lived there until Joe died in 1996. Due to the development of her dementia, Mabel went to live in Myrtle Beach Manor in Myrtle Beach near son, Dick Lewis, who had retired there to live and play golf after a career with the Household Corporation. Mabel was a wife and mom (a homemaker) above all else, but she worked a variety of jobs during her life. She was a bank teller, nursing aide, sold drapes, made drapes for many people, and served for many years as a juvenile detention officer for Bristol Virginia, retiring in the early 70's. She loved the job as a juvenile detention officer because she loved all kids and always felt she could make a difference in their lives, and she did!! She and Joe were tireless in providing for their three sons and in finding a way to ensure that Harry, Tom and Dick received a college education and in their own retirement they would not be dependent on anyone. Mission was accomplished. Mabel and Joe Lewis were devout Christians. Over the years, they were members of First Christian Church in Bristol Virginia, Cold Springs Presbyterian Church in Holston Valley, and Central Christian Church in Bristol Tennessee. They served in leadership positions as elders, deacons, Sunday school teachers and youth group leaders. Mabel was a loving, gracious, fabulous, lady, wife, mom, grandmother, aunt and friend. Her life's focus was her family, but she always made time for other people who needed her abundant love and caring. She exuded a steady strength and great pride in herself and in her family. She provided by example how to live a life and make a difference. Everyone was welcome in her home and she went out of her way to be sure they felt welcome. No one went hungry in her home and she could always make a delicious meal from whatever was available. Her master pieces were her biscuits made from scratch without a recipe. They just happened and were always fabulous!!! Mabel has been missed as her dementia slowly eroded her quality of life. She will be missed even more now that she has departed, but we rejoice as she is reunited in Heaven with her beloved husband, Joe, son, Dick, and the whole array of family and friends. Her life was a life well spent!! The funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 26, 2010, in Glenwood Mausoleum Chapel with Howard Taylor, minister, officiating. Honorary pallbearers are the 11 grandchildren. A combined "Celebration of Life" visitation for Mabel and her son, Dick, will be held from 6 -8 p.m. Friday, June 25, 2010, at Akard Funeral Home. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@akardfuneralhome.com Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN (423) 989-4800, is serving the family Mrs. Lewis.