Dr. Phillip Abram Lewis, Jr.

"Dr. Lewis, a longtime resident of Gonzales, was born July 10, 1932 in Natchitoches, LA to the late Phillip A. Lewis, Sr. and Welsaha Talton Lewis. He passed away January 14, 2018 in Baton Rouge at age 85. A parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Prairieville, he served as a Eucharistic Minister. Dr. Lewis was a U.S. Army veteran, and earned his Bachelor's degree from Southern University and his Masters and PhD degrees from Louisiana State University. He worked in the field of agriculture and was an Assistant State Agent. In addition to his Community Resource Development (CRD) responsibilities, he coordinated and monitored the organization's EEO and Civil Right Compliance programs. He also worked with small farmers in Ascension Parish providing information technological assistance aimed at improved production practices and farm management and marketing methods. Dr. Lewis was the owner and operator of J&R Pest Control. He was an avid reader and he wrote numerous articles related to his profession. He was a member of Lambda Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (BRLA), member of the Knights of Peter Claver, Council #53, Parks, LA, Louisiana 4-H Foundation, Audubon Council of The Girls Scouts of America and The . He served on a number of boards including the Board of Directors of United Community Bank and the Bank of Gonzales, Board of Commissioners of East Ascension General Hospital, Advisory Committee of Ascension Parish School Board, and Board of Directors of Ascension Parish Fair Association. Dr. Lewis is survived by his wife, Willie Mae Berard Lewis, of Gonzales; daughter, Letisa Irvin, of Gonzales; son David Lewis, of Houston; sister, Delores Benjamin (Duffie), of Natchitoches; grandchildren, Dominique, David Jr., Jordin and Devin; devoted family friend, Veronica Hilliard; godchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his son, Gregory Lewis. A visitation will be held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street, Saturday, January 20, 2018, from 8:00 am until an Omega Fraternity ceremony at 9:15 am. Visitation will continue at St. Francis Chapel at Ollie Steele Burden Manor from 10:30 am until Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Interment will follow in Prairieville Cemetery. Dr. Lewis' family would like to offer special thanks to the staff of Ollie Steele Burden Manor, St. Joseph Hospice, Father Johnson, and every person who contributed to the excellent care extended to him during his illness.