Rhoda May Baker Lewis

HAMPTON - Rhoda May Baker Lewis, 81, died Friday, March 5, 2004. She was a native of Seekonk, Mass., but had lived in this area since 1996. Rhoda loved the Lord and lived her faith every day. For years she made Christmas and Easter cards for prisoners and patients of the V.A. Hospital. She bought and distributed blankets to the homeless. She made clothes and bought toys and school supplies for needy children. Every penny she could afford went to help others. Rhoda also dearly loved her family and friends. She never missed a birthday, anniversary or significant event in the lives of her loved ones, sending literally hundreds of cards and letters every year. Rhoda will be remembered as a woman of simple tastes, abiding faith, fierce loyalties and strong opinions. She will be especially remembered as beloved Mom, Grammy and Friend to so many whose lives she touched. Rhoda was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, James G. Lewis; her son, Richard Lewis; her brothers, Allison Baker, Freeman Baker, George Baker and Carlton Baker; her sisters, Ruth Tracy, Gertrude Hughes, Ellen Colwell, Sarah Gray and Hope Kiefer. She is survived by her two sons, James G. Lewis Jr. of Windsor, Va., Kenneth L. Lewis and his wife, Angela, of Valrico, Fla.; one daughter, Donna Lewis Raoust and her husband, Oliver Sr. of Hampton; one daughter-in-law, Judy Taylor Lewis of Richmond, Va.; one brother, Albert Baker and his wife, Elaine, of Seekonk, Mass.; nine grandchildren, James G. Lewis III and his wife, Paula, of Pensacola, Fla., Stephanie Lewis Baughn and her husband, Ryan, of Bainbridge Island, Wash., Jeremiah J. Lewis of Blacksburg, Va., Noel Lewis, who is currently serving his country in Iraq, J.E.B. Lewis of Charlottesville, Va., Adam Lewis and Rachel Lewis of Valrico, Fla., Richard Hunter Lewis and Whitney Taylor Lewis of Richmond, Va.; two step-grandchildren, Oliver Raoust Jr. and Philippe Raoust of Virginia Beach, Va.; and one great-grandchild, Sam Baughn of Bainbridge Island, Wash. A visitation will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday evening at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mark's U.M.C. in Hampton, with burial in Parklawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Mark's U.M.C., c/o Enhancements Fund, 99 E. Mercury Blvd., Hampton, VA 23669. Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave., Hampton.