Don Lewis Sr.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding, but in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct thy path" Proverbs 3:5-6
Bro. Don Allen Lewis, Sr., was born on October 16, 1952, in Lake Charles, LA, to the late Franklin Delano Lewis and Augusteau Guillory Lewis.
He was baptized at an early age at the New Light Baptist Church in the community of Brownsville (Lake Charles).
Don graduated from Washington High School in Lake Charles, LA, in 1971 and attended Grambling State University. While in high school, Don met the love of his life, the beautiful Elsie Mae Joseph and they were married on September 21, 1974. In this union, three children were born: Gwendolyn LeShae, Angela, and Don Allen Lewis, Jr.
Bro. Don united with Hillcrest Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Earnest Ford and, later, Pastor Allen Collins, Jr., and Assistant Pastor Reverend Eric Braxton, Sr., where he was a faithful member and true servant of God. At Hillcrest Baptist Church, he served as chairperson of the deacon board, Sunday school superintendent, president of the Male Chorus, usher, member of the Brotherhood, adult Sunday School teacher, and taught the New Members Orientation class. He was also part of the Southwest Missionary Baptist Association. He was also a member of the International Longshoremen's Association #2047, where he worked and retired as a longshoreman for over 40 years. He was an avid fisherman and a "die-hard" fan of the Dallas Cowboys NFL team.
"Speak of me as you have always done. Remember the good times, laughter, and fun. Share the happy memories we have made. Do not let them wither or fade. I will be with you in the summer's sun and when the winter chill comes. I will be the voice that whispers in the breeze. I am at peace now; put your mind at ease. I have rested my eyes and gone to sleep, but the memories we have shared are yours to keep. Sometimes, our final days may be a test, but remember me when I was at my best. Although things may not be the same, please do not hesitate to use my name. Let your sorrow last for just a while. Comfort each other and try to smile. I have lived a life filled with love and joy. Live on now; make me proud of what you have become."
He leaves to cherish his memories with his wife of 50 plus blessed and wonderful years, Elsie J. Lewis; three children, Gwendolyn (Dan) Pradia, Jr. and Angela Lewis both of Westlake, Louisiana, and Don Allen Lewis, Jr. of Missouri City, Texas; nine grandchildren, Dante'(Alexis), Joshua, Danyail, Jardynn, Kamorah, Zavier, Kourtnei, Don III, and Kingston. Five great-grandchildren: Nova, Jayden, Adalynn, Ellie, and Lennox. One brother, Robert Lewis, Sr. (Kelly) of Adelanto, California. One Uncle Dennis Guillory of Houston, Texas. Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Lester (Ida) Joseph, Lannis (Alice) Joseph, Jerry (Anna) Antoine, Walton Joseph, Juanita Bartie, Alvin Joseph, Albertha Adcock, all of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Anthony (Karen) Guillory of Columbus, Georgia; bonus sisters, Carol Ann Hawkins and Brenda Francois both of Lake Charles, Louisiana; bonus daughters, Crystal Robinson and Chandrea Semien, and Francesca Myles of Lake Charles, Louisiana; Tawana Collins of Atlanta, Georgia and Karen Adcock of Marina Del Ray, California; bonus sons, Ronnie Paul Bartie and Byron Collins; Godchildren, Courtlynn Hawkins, D'etta Ellis, Deundre Hall, and Akeem Joseph; one bonus granddaughter, Ariana Jones; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Franklin Delano Lewis, Augusteau Davis, and Joseph Davis (stepfather); his maternal grandparents, Dennis and Bernadine West Guillory; paternal grandparents, Tom and Eleanor Lewis; sister, Helen Lewis; mother-in-love, Anna Lee Williams; four uncles, two aunts, five brothers-in-law, and one nephew.