Robert "Bob" Henry Lewis

Robert H. (Bob) Lewis, of Raleigh, NC, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2015. He was born October 1, 1922, and was reared in Mount Olive, NC, son of the late Wilson Edgar and Katherine Knowles Lewis. He attended the public schools there and then entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 1943. He was a member of Tau Psi Omega, honorary language fraternity.

Following his graduation from UNC, Robert taught briefly in the public schools in Duplin and Sampson counties. He then moved to Raleigh and began work with the North Carolina Employment Security Commission and continued there until his retirement in 1988, at which time he was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Jim Martin. This is the highest civilian honor granted by a North Carolina governor.

In 1976, Robert was appointed to the Board of Associates at Meredith College. In the following year, he was appointed to the Board of Trustees where he served for three consecutive terms. During this period, Robert and his family gave a harpsichord to the Department of Music in honor of their mother, a Meredith alumna. In 1984, he endowed a scholarship in the Department of Music to provide financial support for worthy students and to express a commitment to Christian higher education. The recipients were selected each year by members of the music faculty and were known as Lewis Scholars. He took pride in seeing and hearing these students perform at the college, and in following the careers of those who pursued graduate studies in music.

In 2006, Robert made a gift of a Steinway concert grand piano to the Meredith College Department of Music. He and several members of the music faculty were given a trip to New York and a visit to the Steinway factory to select the piano. In recognition of his service and gifts in the Music Department, he was made an honorary member of Sigma Alpha Iota, national music fraternity.

Robert was an active member of First Baptist Church, Raleigh. He was a member of the John Hiott Sunday School class, the Sanctuary Choir, and the diaconate. He was a member of the Lions Club. For many years, he enjoyed playing tennis with his friends at the Carolina Country Club. He volunteered his time in the community with several organizations.

Robert is predeceased by his brother, Wilson K. Lewis, of Mount Olive, and his brother-in-law and sister, Charles and Katherine Childrey of Smithfield. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Bersha Lewis, and her children, Suzanne Lewis and Wilson K. Lewis, Jr (Carlia), all of Mount Olive. Also surviving Robert are his nephews Rick Childrey and Rob Childrey of Smithfield, and Tom Childrey (Maria) of Raleigh. Robert has six great-nephews and nieces: Will Haynes, Hannah and Casey Lewis, and Katie, Ann, and Caroline Childrey; and a great-great –nephew, Nicholas Haynes.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, December 29, 2015, at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church, 99 N. Salisbury St in Raleigh, with Dr. Christopher Chapman officiating. The family will receive guests following the service. Robert will be interred in Maplewood Cemetery in Mount Olive.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the First Baptist Church, Raleigh, Mission Endowment Fund or the Meredith College Department of Music.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary’s St., Raleigh.