Alex Isaac Lewis III

Alex Isaac Lewis, III, an accomplished and admired native New Orleanian, was called home to be with our Heavenly Father on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at the age of 75 due to Corona Virus (Covid-19) related complications. He was a distinguished graduate of Booker T. Washington HS Class of 1962. During an illustrious career spanning five decades, Alex worked and excelled in the government, hospitality, and energy sectors. His most notable achievements occurred during his tenures as Personnel Director for the Marriott Hotel, 1984 Louisiana World Exposition, Louisiana Superdome, and the Sheraton Hotel. He was most recently contracted with Liberty Bank & Trust Company. Alex always strived to be an inspiration of hope and encouragement for those in need. Whether friend, foe, neighbor, colleague, or stranger, he would often provide a helping hand, shoulder to lean on, words of comfort, and/or a listening ear. Actively involved in the cultural, political, educational, and spiritual aspects of the city he so loved, Alex was a trailblazer and strong advocate for equality, fair pay, upward mobility, and human rights. He served as a respected mentor, advisor, and confidant to many businesses, organizations and individual New Orleanians regardless of race, age, gender, religion, political affiliation, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Anyone who had aspirational goals and was willing to put in the work necessary to achieve them, whether it be climbing the corporate ladder or becoming a force for positive change in the community, Alex was usually there to assist even when on many occasions, he neither requested, expected, or accepted any monetary compensation. He served on various boards in the New Orleans Area, most notably the French Quarter Festivals, Inc., Volunteers of America, Urban League of Louisiana, New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce and the Sewerage and Water Board. However, Alex never hesitated to roll up his sleeves to do cleaning, lifting, serving, assembling, disassembling or any type of labor, menial or otherwise, that was essential to the success of an event or cause in which he participated. He faithfully and humbly demonstrated a consistent willingness to perform these tasks and others during the many years that he served as a volunteer for the Louis Armstrong and French Quarter Festivals. Alex was also a musician (clarinet) spending time with the New Orleans Concert Band. He was a member of the Ashé Contemporary Arts Centre as well as an actor/director dabbling in theatre at the Chakula Cha Chua Studios and Anthony Bean Community Theatre. More than the many public accolades he has received, or having his image included in the impressive mural of notable alumni at the new Booker T. Washington HS, or seeing his picture adorning the walls of restaurants in the Big Easy as a celebrity customer, it will certainly be his love for life, his family, his heritage, the Fine Arts, and above all his deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior that will serve as the most enduring legacy of Alex Isaac Lewis, III. Alex is predeceased by his beloved wife Mary Louise Baham Lewis, parents Alex Isaac, Sr. and Mary Louise Lewis and siblings, Lorena Harris and Eric Lewis. He is the extremely proud father of Alex, IV (Kasia), Carlton, Christopher (Jennifer) and Jason (Kiley). He will always be the adoring PawPaw to grandchildren Angelique Stewart (Lejon), Alesia Farve (Lawrence), Candace Lewis, Alex M. Lewis (Sarita), Caitlyn Lewis, Alaina Watson (John), Lauren Dillon, Cori Lewis, Lawrence Dillon, Zoe Lewis, Kennedy Green, Taylor Lewis, Brandon Lewis and to great-grandchildren Lejon Stewart Jr, Lillian Garza, LeDonovan Stewart, Leila Holmes, Stephan Anderson, Serenity Lewis, Sabriah Lewis, and Lawrence Farve III. No words can describe the love he had for his siblings Ronald Lewis, Victoria Lewis, Mary Lewis Shanks, Annie Bell Robertson (Alvin) and Michael Lewis (Ericka). He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends. He will be well-remembered by the officers and members of Cornerstone United Methodist Church and Bethany United Methodist Church, as well as the staff of Liberty Bank and Trust Company, New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce, and D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home. Alex's family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Dr. Reginelli and the dedicated men and women of the intensive care unit at Touro Infirmary Hospital for their courageous and tireless work on his behalf. During this time of COVID-19, formal funeral services are not feasible as all large gatherings of people are expressly prohibited or ill-advised. Therefore, The Family of Alex, in conjunction with D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home and Cornerstone United Methodist Church, will announce a date and time regarding a memorial service to celebrate the abundant life and legacy of Alex Isaac Lewis, III when the current situation improves. Family and friends are encouraged to leave prayers, words of comfort, contact information or loving memories. Arrangements by D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 7411 Chef Menteur Highway. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook.