Mary Rebecca Lewis

Beloved mother, inspirational teacher and world-traveling adventurer, Mary Rebecca Lewis passed away late Sunday night at the age of 79. She was born on December 21, 1942 during WWII and lived through some of the greatest transformations of this and the last century. That was fitting because she not only taught history, but loved it. She taught for over 30 years at William Blount High School and loved all her students. It always meant so very much to her to meet one of her former students in the community and to hear about their lives. Her family was always proud to hear how many people said what a difference she and her class made to them. Her love of learning was coupled with a tremendous kindness, vibrance and curiosity about the world. After graduating from Maryville High School and then the University of Tennessee, she served in the Red Cross and then traveled the world, going to more countries and having more adventures than can be recounted. She got married and raised her family, but she knew that you can travel not only with your feet but also with your mind and she gave the gift of books and learning to her daughter and her students, teaching them that words sing across the centuries and time and there are universes to be explored with the opening of a book. She believed that life is a gift that should be enjoyed, but also that the gift should be repaid through kindness and generosity to others and by trying to leave the world a better place than when you found it. She loved to laugh and make others laugh. She loved music and she loved the beauty of the natural world. She swam, fished, rode horses and was never without a dog. She loved children, her family and her community. She was an inspiration of the values of strength, morality, kindness and humanity and the meaning of family. She will always be loved and will be so greatly missed.

Mary Rebecca Lewis is survived by her daughter, Gena Lewis, her sister and brother-in-law, Betsey and Steve Ellis and their children. She was preceded in death by her loving parents and her brother David. Donations to William Blount High School are greatly appreciated.

The family will receive friends at Berry Highland Memorial, 5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919 on Monday, August 29, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM with a service to follow at 7:00 PM. Family and friends will reconvene in Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 for a 3:00 PM graveside service.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.berryhighlandmemorial.com for the Lewis family.