Louise Lewis

Mary “Louise” Lea Lewis, age 95, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 24, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with her loving family by her side. A 65 year resident of Baton Rouge, Louise was born at her home in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on March 13, 1922, to Curtis Byron Lea and Myrtis Irene Newman Lea. Visitation will be at Greenoaks Funeral Home on Saturday, December 2nd at 11:00 a.m. with the service to follow at noon. Interment will follow the ceremony at Greenoaks Memorial Park. Her grandsons and grandson-in-law will serve as pallbearers. Most of Louise’s formative years were spent in Hattiesburg, however she graduated from Central High School in Jackson, Mississippi and attended Draughon’s Business College in Jackson. Louise married Elisha Robert “Bob” Lewis on May 16, 1941. They were married 68 years and had four children. After being married less than a year, Pearl Harbor was attacked, and Bob joined the U.S. Army. During the war years, Louise was able to join her husband and lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Tallahassee, Florida. Following WWII, they moved to Natchez, Mississippi and then Newellton, Louisiana, where Bob coached basketball. In 1952, Louise and Bob moved to Baton Rouge. For many years, Louise was a homemaker and participated in her children’s numerous activities. She later taught kindergarten at Broadmoor Baptist Church School for five years. In 1961, Louise began working for Field Enterprise, where she worked her way up to area manager and then district manager. Louise received many accolades and awards while she was with the company and was known for being extremely conscientious, energetic, and well-organized. In 1970, she won the top national sales and management award given by the company. While with World Book/Childcraft, Louise was a member of the President’s Club, and she retired in 1992 after thirty successful years with the company. As a young girl, Louise enjoyed movies, music, and dancing, especially adagio. Her favorite subject was English. In later years, Louise loved reading, playing bridge, traveling, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of Broadmoor Baptist Church for 58 years and the Ruth Sunday School class, where she made many good friends. As a spouse of an army officer, Louise was proud to be a longtime member of the Military Officers Association of America. Louise was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by her children, Rosemary Lewis Buddecke and husband Robin K. Buddecke, of Richmond, Texas, Dr. William James Lewis and wife Doris Lewis, of Lincoln, Nebraska, Robert Bradley Lewis and wife Susan Lewis, of Bush, Louisiana, and Virginia Lewis Walker and husband Dr. David W. Walker, of Baton Rouge; her grandchildren, Dr. Michael K. Lewis and wife Nadia and children Sabina and Eric, Robert B. Lewis and wife Mechelle and children Hannah and Eli, Tanya Lewis Baker and husband Alan and children James, Estelle, and Nell, David G. Lewis and children Gordon and Gracie, Leigh Walker Greene and husband Jason and children Catelyn, Mary Virginia, Tommy, and Emily Claire, Andrew B. Lewis and wife Amanda, Dr. Paul W. Walker and wife Jill and children John, Luke, and Paige, Steven R. Lewis and wife Emily, and Dr. Matthew L. Walker. Louise was very pleased that her 17th great-grandchild, Grace Louise Walker, due in February would be named for her. Louise is also survived by her two nephews, Curtis B. Lea III and Alan Meador, her step-grandson, Chris Buddecke, as well as several other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sisters Gladys Lea Meador and Mildred Lea (age 2), her brother C.B. Lea, Jr., and her step-granddaughter, Barbara Buddecke Swarm. Those wishing to make donations may make them to Broadmoor Baptist Church, 9755 Goodwood Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70815, or to a charity of your choice. For those desiring, you may access the online guest registry at greenoaksfunerals.com.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Lake Sherwood Village Retirement Home, Nursing Care Connections, Amedisys Hospice, especially Angela Russell and Rhonda Hines, and a special thanks to her many faithful caregivers, especially Tenesia Davis, Fannie Hankton, Rhonda Matthews, and Lakenye Salvage for their steadfast devotion. Proverbs 31:10 “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”