Josie Y. Lewis

Josie Y. Lewis entered eternal rest on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at the age of 89. Mother of Anthony "Tony" Lewis. Daughter of the late Clifford and Rachel Bissant Young. She was the eldest of four sisters, the late Beverly Y. Thompson, Mildred Y. Gardner (the late Frank) and Rachel Y. Barthe (Earl). Also survived by five nephews, Clifford and Earl Barthe, Kenneth (Stacey), Martin (Kam) and Robert Gardner; several Godchildren, especially Cynthia Adams-Pattani, a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and students who became her adopted children. Born on October 11, 1932, except for two brief periods where she lived in Breaux Bridge, LA and Atlanta, GA, Josie was a lifelong resident of New Orleans and was a graduate of McDonogh 35 High School; a member of the Xavier University graduating Class of 1954 and received her Master of Library Science from Louisiana State University. After beginning her career in St. Martin Parish, she came back to work in the Orleans Parish School System in 1958. For over 35 years she dedicated her life to the children of New Orleans as a school librarian. Upon her retirement, Josie stayed active by volunteering at the Amistad Research Center, participating in the McDonogh 35 and Xavier University Alumni Chapters, serving on the Bereavement Committee and being a Trumpeter at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church, attending the Pontchartrain Park Senior Citizen Center, also playing Bridge and Pokeno with several different groups. Relatives and friends; Priest and Parishioners of St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church; members of the McDonogh 35 Class of 1948, the Xavier University of Louisiana Alumni Association; Administrators and Staff of the Chateau Living Center and St. Catherine's Hospice are invited to attend the funeral. A Mass of Christian burial honoring the life and legacy of the late Josie Y. Lewis will be held at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church, 4700 Pineda Street, New Orleans, LA 70126 on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 11 a.m. Interment: Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 4000 Norman Mayer Ave., New Orleans, LA 70122. Visitation 10 a.m. in the church. For the health and safety of all, everyone in attendance is asked to wear a face mask and practice social distancing. Please sign online guestbook at www.charbonnetfuneralhome.com. Charbonnet Labat Glapion, Directors (504) 581-4411.