Mark Christopher Lewis

Obituary of
OUR BELOVED SON,
MARK CHRISTOPHER LEWIS
November 1, 1997 – August 20, 2015

Mark Christopher Lewis is the son of Michael, Sr. and Patrice Lewis, and the brother of Michael, Jr. ("Matt") and Melissa Lewis. God blessed His world with this precious gift on November 1, 1997, and after 17 beautiful years of life, on August 20, 2015 God saw fit to call Mark to his heavenly home for eternity.
As a baby, Mark burst into his family's life, taking their love to new depths and joy to higher heights. Mark the toddler had boundless energy and happily spent most of it at play with big brother Matt. Mark adored Matt and looked to him to understand seemingly age-old mysteries like, how did "Buzz Lightyear" get his name, and why is "Elmo" red. Ever the patient big brother, Matt relished his role as Mark's personal navigator in toddlerhood and far beyond. Most importantly, Matt was thankful for the privilege of responding to Mark's proclamation that he wanted Jesus to live in his heart. A young convert to the faith himself, Matt led two-year old Mark to the Lord on a ride home shared in the back seat of the family's car in the fall of 2000. It was not long after that decision for Christ and Mark's baptism when God began to show glimpses of the sweet friend and fierce competitor Mark was to become.
By the time Mark got to elementary school, he was learning to master his schoolwork and the art of kindness, making him popular among his peers and a favorite with his teachers. A deeply compassionate child, Mark was quick to defend other kids if he believed they were being mistreated. When prospective students visited his school, Mark often was chosen to be their ambassador for the day.
Mark continued to be a good student in middle school as he developed a heart to serve his family and friends. While attending an all-boys camp one summer, Mark showed such maturity that the camp's owner offered to waive a portion of his tuition in exchange for Mark's agreement to lead and mentor his fellow campers.
Although Mark enjoyed putting his leadership skills to use by trying to run the life of his little sister, Melissa, he also loved shooting hoops with her to enhance her skills. He bragged to others that Melissa was a "beast" as a basketball player, even though he refused to let her win when they played together. They had their battles as siblings but were protective of one another and loved each other deeply. When the two would battle, Mark needed only to be reminded that he was the one who had led Matt in prayers to God for a baby sister, and that reminder was enough to make him forgive his baby sister.
During his first two years of high school, Mark continued to make new friends and grow in to a respectful young man. Mark continued to use his charm to make others feel welcomed by including them in his circles. Mark loved his time volunteering at summer sports camps because he liked pouring himself into others. Over the years Mark also occasionally volunteered in his parents' nursery class at Church, where he invariably would connect with the toddlers who were in need of extra hugs and attention. Mark also had a special way with older people, and was thankful for the mission trips he took to South Carolina to do home repairs and other work for a widow he met there.
Mark had already shown his entrepreneurial spirit in middle school when he distributed flyers advertising his skills and landed a job doing yard work for a neighbor. However, upon entering his eleventh grade school year, he began to think more seriously about school, life and his future. It was at that point when Mark became relentless in his pursuit of a job. His persistence paid off and Mark landed his first "official" job at a Jersey Mikes store last spring. Over this past summer, things began to fall into place for Mark as he worked tirelessly to build his reputation for good, hard work and dependability. That reputation paid off as Mark was often called upon to cover shifts for co-workers at both his regular and another area Jersey Mikes location.
Before the first day of his senior year at Hickory Grove Christian School arrived, Mark already was working hard to cement his post- high school options, which included his desire to earn a basketball scholarship for college or to enter the military to begin a career in service to his Country. Mark was beginning to hit his stride in young adulthood, and was looking forward to a great senior year both academically and athletically.
As for his collegiate options, Mark had many years of team sports experiences from which to draw. Mark joined his first team as a 4-year-old soccer player. It was during that time when God gave him a best friend in Darren Michael. Mark (along with Darren) happily moved on to tackle football by the age of 6, where Mark quickly discovered one of his main passions. Even at that young age, Mark's strength and quickness allowed him to excel on both sides of the football, and earned him a reputation as a fierce competitor. Mark found his second passion later that same year when he started down the road of playing basketball on school and recreation league teams.
As a middle school athlete, Mark earned multiple team and conference MVP trophies in basketball and football. In high school, Mark was named his basketball team's best offensive player, and was twice named on all-conference basketball teams. Even as his athletic star continued to rise in high school, Mark was still happy to share his sports knowledge with beginning players. He was an encourager in the truest sense and could always find something good to say, especially about a fellow athlete. Because of the beauty of his heart, Mark would fearlessly compete with his "take no prisoners" attitude but leave every bit of the battle behind him to fellowship with his fiercest rivals once the game was over.
Mark has left this earth to join God's heavenly team of angels. He has exchanged his jersey for a robe and is resting in the care of his Savior. Mark leaves to cherish his memory devoted parents, Mike and Patrice; adoring siblings, Matt and Melissa; aunties, Charmaine Carter, Iris Marthetta ("Etta") Williams (Fred), Birdie Cody (Eddie); uncles, Gerald Lewis, Thomas Lewis (Carol), Lucious Meggett; great aunties and uncles; cousins, whom he loved more like siblings; best friends; Church and school teachers; wonderful coaches; youth group buddies; and a immeasurable host of other dear ones.
When difficult times got the best of him, Mark would encourage himself with Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." If Mark could speak to us today, he would remind us of this verse and encourage us to strive for meaningful lives here without him.

Mark's funeral service will be held at Central Church of God in Charlotte on Saturday, August 29, 2015. Visitation will begin at 10:30 am, and a celebration of Mark's life will start at Noon.

Final Arrangements are entrusted to Alexander Funeral Home of Charlotte.