James Lewis

Funeral service for J. Lynn Lewis will be held on Monday, April 21, 2025 at the First Baptist Church in Delhi at 11:00 AM with Rev. Jeff Coleman.
Visitation will be held at FBC-Delhi from 10:00 AM until time of Service.
Burial will be in the Newton Community Cemetery under the direction of Cox Funeral Home of Delhi.
Pallbearers will be Tommy Scuria, Dr. Paul Swearingen, Jon Michael Lewis, Matthew Lewis, David Lewis and Tim Campbell
Honorary Pallbearers will be the Voluntary Fire Department.
James Lynn Lewis was born December 23, 1949 and entered into God's Glory on April 16th, 2025. Lynn was the first son of James Carter Lewis and Rene Jarmon Lewis who preceded him in their homegoing. His youngest brother, Greg Lane Lewis, also entered his eternal rest just four months ago.
Lynn is survived by his wife of 36 years, Becky Wilson Lewis. Their marriage was blessed by two sons, Andrew Colin Lewis (Kayla) and Alex Gray Lewis (Whitley). His remaining brother, Randy Cleve Lewis and wife, Lisa, blessed the family with the first Lewis girl, Leigh Anne. Lynn adored his niece as his own and showered her with much affection. He was especially proud of her as she grew to adulthood and found her soul mate, Tim Campbell. Surviving sister-in-law, Karen White Lewis, assured the Lewis name when she and Greg brought Jon-Michael and twins, Matthew and David, into our family.
Surviving family on Becky's side include sister-in-law, Gwen Lowe Miller (Randy)-nephew Roy Miller (Meredith); brothers-in-law Joseph Lowe-nephews Wes & Clint Lowe; David Lowe (Barbara)- nephew Aaron Lowe; niece Hannah Lowe McKenzie (Jake).
Grandchildren are truly "grand" and Lynn took such pride and joy in his five!
Nothing stirs up youthful memories and happiness like sharing the energy of your little ones. Their innocence and tender affections renew your belief in the ongoing purpose of life and refreshes the rough bruises and scars that have inevitably been placed on one's soul. Grayson James Lewis, Harper Kate Lewis, Kinsley Rose Lewis, Janie Belle Lewis and Adeline Grace Lewis-though some of your memories of "Pappy" Lynn will fade, you will be able to see his adoration of you in the many photos of your times together. As you grow up you will understand the meaningful life he had, the Christ-like goodness he showed to others and his faith in Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Pappy will be looking down and loving you from his eternal home, Heaven.
Lynn graduated from Delhi High School in 1968. He was the editor of the DHS Yearbook, "Artos", and used his artistic talent producing a weekly DHS cartoon in the Delhi Dispatch of "Walter Bear" the school's mascot. He played basketball and helped manage the team and was a drummer for the band.
Lynn loved his years at LSU pursuing his degree in Architecture and Landscape Design. His first job after graduation was a perfect fit. As a city designer he helped fulfill the early plans of the new Arkansas development of Maumelle. His original park design still stands and is enjoyed by residents in the early housing sites that he worked on. He always enjoyed going back through the area and seeing how Maumelle had grown in that beautiful mountain area just outside Little Rock.
Lynn came home to partner with his mother when she bought Terry's Jewelry. His multiple artistic talents were put to great use when he added a framing studio in the back of the store. There's no telling how many folks in northeast Louisiana have their precious photos and memorabilia framed in his handiwork. He had an amazing eye for designing, remounting and repairing jewelry. Lynn was the match to Mamaw Rene and brother Randy's business acumen. All three enjoyed helping customers find the perfect jewelry piece or gift item and working together through the years deepened their relationships.
After 67 years in business, it became clear that Terry's Jewelry would close as Mamaw Rene was getting ready to retire. Having served over 20 years as a Delhi Alderman, Lynn decided to run for Mayor. As a boy, Lynn had met Louisiana Governor Jimmie H. Davis and it stirred his interest in politics.
Lynn was elected and served for thirteen years. It was a dream come true for it embodied the things he cared most about. It was an opportunity to fulfill the vision he had for the Town of Delhi-to grow, refurbish and make improvements to meet the needs of its citizens. He longed to preserve its history along with the quaintness of "small town" life we all cherished.
Lynn felt he could better serve Delhi as a leader in the Louisiana Municipal Association. Starting out as Second Vice-President he later became President of the LMA and eventually President of the Southern States Municipal League.
Lynn exemplified his passion for progress and economic development serving as President of the Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance-a key organization supporting the growth and prosperity of thirteen Delta parishes. Having executive positions in these critical municipal organizations gave him a voice for Louisiana's small towns, villages and rural communities.
Lynn's influence was also carried through his nomination to the Louisiana National Historical Registry Board. Later chosen President, Lynn advocated for the preservation of historical homes, buildings and sites within our beautiful state.
His work for his hometown is hard to sum up in a few words. The grant funds he secured brought in millions for improvements of streets, water, sewer, lights, and playgrounds. Renovations on the Town Hall, the Delhi Civic Center and the initial plans for the Education and Recreation Center were completed.
Lynn directed Delhi's hurricane relief efforts when Katrina devastated south Louisiana. The town opened the Civic Center for shelter and coordinated with other organizations to provide food, information and communications. Under his leadership our Delhi people were inspired to help our south Louisiana refugees in every possible way.
Lynn was never more excited than the announcement of the Con Agra/Lamb-Weston's choice of Delhi for its new sweet potato plant. He was particularly proud of the Public Works Department employees who completed the engineering feat of 5 miles of water lines, tank and sewer disposal in record time. The town received the Louisiana Municipal Association's Economic Award that year.
No man is an island and as mayor Lynn had some of the best colleagues to carry out the daily business of running the town. His successes could not have been possible without the City Council, clerks, office staff, accountants, engineers, public works employees, police and volunteer firemen. He spoke often of his appreciation for them and was grateful for their hard work and abiding friendships.
Even in the rough times he learned resilience, kept his optimism and made compassion his guiding principle. I know these were some of the happiest years of his life.
Lynn has worked for Ashland University of Ohio the last ten years of his life. Ashland is a Christian private university which operates the largest correctional education program in the nation with over 4,000 incarcerated students across 120 facilities in a dozen states. Chosen as the Site Director for the pilot program at the Louisiana Transitional Center for Women in Tallulah, Lynn has helped dozens of women graduate with two and four year diplomas. For him, it was truly a ministry of redemption and second chances.
Ever civic-minded, Lynn was President of the Delhi Lions Club, the Jaycees and worked with the Poverty Point Festival. Lynn enjoyed his years on the Northeast LA Stock Show Board and directing the Miss Louisiana Stock Show Pageant. He was named to the Miss Louisiana Hall of Fame for his 40 years of service.
Lynn grew up in Delhi First Baptist Church and worked with the television ministry for over thirty years. There is little doubt that the teachings of Christ gave rise to his remarkable faith "that everything will work out alright". He had that quiet strength and calmness that comes from the assurance of personal salvation and the acceptance of the sovereignty of God.
The Bible tells us we are created in the image of our Father God, the Creator.
Lynn, too, was a creator-gifted artist, designer, visionary with a bit of a dreamer's longing to make the world a better place. He created a life guided by his Lord and was so grateful for the earthly gifts God had allowed us all to enjoy-the beauty of nature, great art, literature, music and history. But most of all he loved people! Like the Tin Man in his favorite movie, "Wizard of Oz", God had given him a big heart that found joy in others. You rarely saw him without his huge smile. In short, he loved LIFE and gave himself fully to it.
The Lewis family acknowledges with deepest gratitude the compassion and skill shown by the St. Francis MICU physicians, nurses, respiratory and hospital staff who gave deeply of themselves in their efforts to save our beloved Lynn.
Special thanks to the Palliative Care team whose caring wisdom eased him with comfort into his eternal home.
Memorial gifts may be made to Delhi First Baptist TV or Children's Ministry.