Alvin C. Lewis

It is with profound sadness and deep gratitude for a life well-lived that the Lewis family announces the passing of Alvin "Al" Charles Lewis, age 90, who departed this life peacefully on September 4, 2025, surrounded by loved ones at his home in Roswell, Georgia. A Life Rooted in Purpose Born in Montz, Louisiana, on November 4, 1934, Alvin was the youngest of ten children born to Eugene and Martha (Bourgeois) Lewis. Raised in a household that valued faith, hard work and integrity, Al carried those principles throughout his life. He held various odd jobs in his youth-from carpentry, harvesting parsley to racking bowling pins-before graduating from Our Lady of Grace Catholic School (Reserve, LA) in 1955. Al earned a B.S. in Mathematics from Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA in 1959. He was a proud alumnus of the beloved HBCU. That same year, he married his childhood sweetheart, Rosalie James, whom he met in first grade and wooed with a heartfelt letter in middle school. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised four children. U.S. Service and Career After college, Al was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving as a Mathematical Statistician at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. His career spanned both private industry and federal service, including pivotal roles in the Saturn Space Program with Chrysler Space Division and as a Quality Engineer with Fairchild Hillar Corporation. The later opportunity led him to relocate his family from Reserve, LA to Rockville, MD. In 1970, Al began a distinguished career at the National Bureau of Standards (now National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)), where he applied his expertise in statistics and operations research to public policy and consumer safety. He later became Director of the Civil Rights Office at NIST, where he championed equal employment, diversity, and inclusion until his retirement in 2002. His work earned him numerous accolades, including the NIST Equal Employment Opportunity Award in 1977. Community and Mentorship Al's commitment to service extended beyond his professional life. He mentored youth in Montgomery County, MD, led tutoring programs, and served on boards including the NAACP Labor Industry Committee and District of Columbia Metropolitan Consortium for Minorities in Engineering (METCON). He was also a Regional Vice President with Mid-American Investors, promoting financial literacy and empowerment. Family, Friendship, and Passions Shortly after retiring, in 2002, Al and Rosalie relocated from Rockville, MD to Roswell, GA to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Al was a man of many talents and interests-a true Renaissance Man. He was a self-taught undercover master chef who enjoyed his family congregating together every Sunday to enjoy his legendary cooking. He loved playing Bridge, refurbishing classic cars and fixing anything with his hands. His home was a haven of hospitality, where everyone was welcome and no one was a stranger. His circle of friends reflected his open heart and global spirit; and his wisdom earned him the nickname "Walking Encyclopedia." He was deeply involved with the Forever Young Friends group at St. Thomas Aquinas Church and cherished his role as a grandfather and great-grandfather. Legacy of Love Alvin is survived by his devoted wife of almost 66 years, Rosalie James Lewis; his children Kendall Lewis (Frances), Lucretia Lewis Gaston (Kevin), Kevin Lewis (Luanne), and Keary Lewis; grandchildren Princess Thompson (Courtney), Kevin Wesley Gaston II, Charlie Fuller (Cory), Devin Lewis, Drew Lewis, Michael Lewis (Haley), Brandon Lewis, Alexis Lewis Bolton (Nathan), Kelli Gaston, and Kennedi Lewis; and great-grandchildren CJ Thompson, Justice Thompson, Brooklyn Lewis, Ayden Lewis, Jackson Lewis, Corinne Fuller, Cory Fuller Jr., and Caleel Fuller. He also leaves behind a host of beloved relatives and friends. He now joins his parents and siblings in eternal rest: William Wolfe, Lydia Wolfe Winchester, Dorothy Wolfe Thomas, Henry Wolfe Sr., Mildred Lewis Thomas, Albertine Lewis Tyran, Rita Lewis Williams, Joseph Lewis, and Marion Lewis Wallace. Services and Memorial • Visitation: Sunday, September 21, 2025, from 6PM–8PM ET at Northside Chapel, 12050 Crabapple Rd., Roswell, GA • Funeral Mass: Monday, September 22, 2025, at 10 AM ET at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 535 Rucker Rd., Alpharetta, GA Streaming Link: http://www.facebook.com/stacatholicchurch.com (Note: Link will not be active until time of event.) • Interment: Green Lawn Cemetery, 950 Mansell Road, Roswell, GA • Repast: Edenwilde Clubhouse, 12455 Edenwilde Drive, Roswell, GA In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Southern University's College of Sciences and Engineering https://foundation.sus.edu/college-of-sciences-engineering/ Select "Dedicate Gift" checkbox and include Honoree Name: Alvin C. Lewis (Class of 1959)