Erma Lewis Cohen

Erma Joy Lewis Cohen was born in Memphis on November 27, 1933, as the youngest, and much doted upon, child of Lena Sarsar Lewis and Julius Lewis. She is predeceased by her parents, her husband Sheldon Avern Cohen of Lake Geneva, WI, her siblings Bobbie Lewis Brenner (Aaron), Aileen Lewis Sharpe (Harold), and Jack Lewis (Nicole). She is also predeceased by her much beloved son Brett Lewis Cohen (Elaine). Erma’s other children Max Jeffrey Cohen (Ellen), Elizabeth Cohen (Mark Toubin), and Barry Leland Cohen (Jennifer z’l) will miss her deeply. Erma devoted her life to her immediate and extended family and friends, including her nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and many dear cousins.

After graduating as Valedictorian from Central High School in Memphis, Erma attended the University of Wisconsin where she met Sheldon, and they soon married. They spent the first years of their 60-year marriage in England where Sheldon was stationed during the Korean War before returning to Memphis to start a family. Erma was an involved mother of four, dedicated to supporting the interests of her children, welcoming their friends into her home, serving as Carpool Queen for every possible activity, leading their youth groups at Temple Israel, teaching Sunday School, and being a comforting and sympathetic ear in every circumstance. Her eight grandchildren, John (Mariah) and Annie Cohen, Jonathan (Sami Cummins) and Benjamin Cohen, Josie and Ian Toubin, and Ethan and Gabriella Cohen, brought her the greatest joy, and she reveled in the simple pleasures of their visits, cooking with them, touring the Memphis Zoo, eating endless burgers at Huey’s, traveling to the Lit Family Farm, and reading story books. Each book that Erma chose to read had the accompanying stuffed characters which she used to act out the stories to the delight of her grandchildren. When a visit to Memphis was scheduled, Erma set to work baking challah, cheese braids, pound cake, cinnamon rolls, refrigerator rolls, and endless cookies, especially for Chanukah and Passover. Break the Fast was a regular family event, and Erma outdid herself year after year with her delicious holiday foods, each a special family tradition. Her noodle kugel is legendary.

Erma was similarly devoted to Temple Israel where she served as Youth Group director for longer than anyone can remember and as Sisterhood President from 1988 to 1990. She ran Mitzvah Day at Temple Israel for years, and she coordinated the cooking of countless meals for Temple functions. One recipe in her vast repertoire begins, “Sweet and Sour Meatballs- yield 1400 meatballs.” She volunteered with such dedication to Temple Israel in so many capacities that when her children were grown, she joined the administration there and worked devotedly for many happy years. Temple Israel was Erma’s second home.

Erma has left her family and friends with so many memories of a long life well-lived. From her alphabetized pantry, to her precise housekeeping practices, from her pride in those she loved, to her enjoyment of staying current with youth, from her beautifully coordinated outfits (both from her father’s store Julius Lewis and from Chico’s) and perfectly coiffed hair, to her matching sets of jewelry, Erma was one of the most beloved mothers and grandmothers around. She touched so many lives in the world around her. She was simply joyful. There are generations of Memphians who knew Erma, were practically raised by her, and have wonderful memories to share. Erma was an important part of the lives of so many and will be dearly and truly missed.

Services will be held on Friday, November 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Temple Israel Cemetery in the Levy-Cooper Chapel (1708 Hernando Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38106), with burial to follow. A live stream of the service will be available at https://timemphis.org/watch-live/.  Additionally, the family will gather for evening services at 6:00 p.m. at Temple Israel.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Erma’s memory to Temple Israel, 1376 East Massey Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38120 https://timemphis.org/giving/.