Virginia "Gena" Lewis

Gena was born in Houston, Texas on the 4th of September 1942, to Thad and Virginia Dorsey and passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, the 27th of February 2021, surrounded by loved ones, after a 7 year battle with cancer. Gena grew up in San Antonio, Texas and went to Alamo Heights High School. She attended the University of Texas at Austin and graduated in 1964 with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She moved to Houston when she accepted her first teaching job at Rummel Creek Elementary and shortly after met the love of her life, Coy D. Lewis.

She and Coy were married on the 18th of December 1965. Gena taught first grade until she became a mother and returned to teaching when her daughters got older because it was her greatest passion besides being a wife and mother. She taught 1st grade at St. Michael Catholic School for 13 years and went on to teach 1st grade at The Fay School for 18 more years until she retired in May of 2011. She received many teaching awards over the years, but her greatest rewards were the love of her students and the lifelong friendships with her fellow teachers.

Gena and Coy loved traveling throughout Texas and around the United States with their good friends. She was a member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church where she was a member of the Altar Guild along with Bible Study Groups. Gena loved her dogs so much and would often be seen taking them on long walks in the neighborhood.

Gena is survived by her husband Coy Lewis; daughter Claire Lewis Boyles and husband Dan; daughter Tina Lewis Raia and husband Nick; grandchildren Fletcher Boyles, Julia Boyles, Wesley Boyles, Allie Raia, and CC Raia; brother Thad Dorsey, and sister-in-law, Betty Westmoreland. Her grandchildren were always the center of her world and her greatest joy in life. She was deeply loved by family and friends. Gena will be dearly missed and her memory will be eternal.

The family gathered for a private interment at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston.

Due to COVID-19, a memorial service will be held at a later date. Friends are invited to receive updated service information by clicking “Receive Notifications” below to be sent automatic service updates once available.