Richard Kent Lewis, Sr.

Funeral services for Mr. Richard Kent Lewis, Sr. will begin at 2:00 PM Monday, September 29, 2025, at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home with the Reverends David Keller and Jesse Quinn officiating. Interment will follow graveside rites at Coker’s Chapel Church Cemetery. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Mr. Lewis, 72, of the Southeast Community, died Monday, September 22, 2025, at Diversicare of Meridian following an extended illness.

Richard was born in Jackson, MS, to Clovis and Polly Lewis…tenth in line of 12 children. He was always full of sibling stories from his childhood. He began working at an early age doing such jobs as newspaper delivery boy (with modes of transportation progressing from bicycle, to motorcycle to car). One year, he slung enough papers to earn a trip to Europe that left him with such fond, lifelong memories. Richard attended Callaway High School where he and Peggy met and became high school sweethearts and graduated together in 1971. He attended Hinds Community College in Raymond, MS, for a semester before moving to Starkville to attend MSU briefly before beginning a lifelong career of restaurant and food sales business. Richard and Peggy married in 1973 and later moved to Meridian in the late 70’s. Richard spent many long days, nights, and weekends working to provide for his family of “three only children” that he and Peggy inadvertently spread out over 20 years. He co-owned The Southern Kitchen, owned Larry’s Restaurant and Lounge, managed Philip M’s fine dining restaurant at the Silver Star casino in Philadelphia, spent many miles on the road doing food sales (Sysco, Jackson Packing, Schwan’s), and finally retired in 2017 after managing Spaceway Truck Plaza from its inception.

Richard loved to connect with people and developed many friendships over the years. One such friend, he loved to ride motocross within the early days. Then he enjoyed the much safer golfing for many years thereafter. Later in life, he connected with fellow workers in the mission field to such storm ravaged locations as: Rockport, Tx (via Samaritan’s purse), The US Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. Thomas), Algiers, La, and Gulf Shores, AL (all via UMCOR). In 2020, Richard had the opportunity to go to Saipan (via FEMA) to work…and was there when THE pandemic was declared. Thankfully he made it home safely.

Richard loved to visit with family (especially grands and great-grand), piddle outside, run his tractor, help at church, travel and go RV camping. He didn’t get to do enough of all that before he was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer officially in 2019. He suffered with gradually increasing pain until his passing. He always tried to stay positive and upbeat. He had a strong will to live to the very end, but was ready to go to his heavenly home when it was time. Mr. Lewis is survived by his loving wife of over 52 years, Peggy Lewis; children, Micki Harrison, Kent Lewis, Jr, and Cody Lewis (Haley); grandchildren, Brittney Harkins (Brandon), Sydney Harrison, Liam Lewis, and Emma Lewis; and one great-granddaughter, Bethany Harkins. Siblings, Nancy Willis, Paula Harris (Kendall), Maggie Jantz (Jerry), Mike Lewis, Mark Lewis, Victor Gray-Lewis (Gerry), and Patrick Lewis (Yvette), as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Mr. Lewis is preceded in death by his parents, Clovis and Polly Lewis; and his siblings, Kay Anne Lewis, Chuck Lewis, Joyce Lewis, and Carol Banes.

Pallbearers will be Kent Lewis, Cody Lewis, Brad Banes, Brandon Harkins, Jon Abston, Justin Abston.

The family would like to thank the staff of Amedisys Home Health, Gentiva Hospice, and Diversicare for their attentive care of Richard.

The Lewis Family suggests memorials be made as donations to the Samaritan's Purse or to UMCOR in lieu of flowers.

Online condolences may be expressed at robertbarhamffh.com.

The Lewis Family requests that you wear Maroon and White in honor of Richard's love for Mississippi State.  

The Lewis Family will receive guests from 12:00 PM until 1:45 PM prior to funeral rites in the chapel.