Dorothy Rene Lewis

Dorothy Rene Lewis, 76, was born in May 1933 in Carthage, Texas, to Arthur and Lennie Wallace, the eleventh child of twelve children. She was called home by her Heavenly Father Friday, Aug. 21, 2009, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Dorothy accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. From the beginning, she was faithful and devoted to God and her family. She enjoyed singing in the choir, softball, attending church, cooking and studying God''s word. As a young woman, she met and married, Pastor Ervin Lewis, the late pastor of the St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church (M.B.C.). God blessed them with two sons. She moved to California in 1953 and made her home in San Luis Obispo. She worked for many years serving families in the San Luis area, nurturing them with love and kindness, constantly giving of herself. She was a founding member of the St. Luke M.B.C., where she served on the Board of Trustees for 51 years. She was the ''First Lady'' of St. Luke Church for 32 years. Throughout her membership she taught Sunday school, was Sunday school superintendent, church secretary, treasurer, choir president and served on the mother board and taught Bible study. She was a true prayer warrior and truly loved her church. Dorothy lived by the scripture John 9:4: "I must work the work of Him that sent me, while it is day, the night cometh when no man can work." She worked because she was saved, not to be saved. Dorothy also served at the Baptist Convention on the district, state and national level. She taught, was the keynote speaker as well as the chairperson of the memorial department. She was blessed with many talents which she used to encourage, motivate and inspire others to serve the true and living God with a sincere heart. She worked in the community and supported Grassroots, Martin Luther King Scholarship Foundation, attended the "Day of Prayer" luncheon and visited the sick in rest homes and hospitals. Dorothy will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her smile and memories will live forever in our hearts. Dorothy leaves to treasure her memory her son, Prince Lewis of San Luis Obispo; granddaughters Rosalind (Tyrone) Montgomery and Janine (Ken) Marion; great-grandchildren Tatiana, Javon, Dontrell Montgomery and Luke Marion of San Luis Obispo; three sisters Floarvis Douglas of San Jose, Calif., Layce Lawson of Oakland, Calif., and Jeffie Z. Morrison of Seaside, Calif.; brother, L.K. Wallace; Aunt Flossie Wallace Roberts and nephew, Freddie J. Wallace of Texas, who were raised as siblings; as well as a host of many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Pastor Ervin Lewis; son, R.L. Lewis; parents, Arthur and Lennie Wallace; sisters Evelyn Marshal, Annie B. Wallace, Arvis Wallace, Lovis Wallace, Ruth Arline Wallace; and brothers Narzel Wallace and L.J. Wallace. Viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, at Reis Family Mortuary, 991 Nipomo in San Luis Obispo. A celebration of her life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, at the First Baptist Church, 2075 Johnson Ave., in San Luis Obispo.