Eldon Jefferson Lewis, Sr.

Eldon Jefferson Lewis, Sr., 88, of Waycross went to sleep in Thomasville, GA but awoke in the arms of Jesus Friday morning (April 1, 2016).

Born in Brantley County on December 12, 1927, his parents were Joseph H. “Pete” Lewis and Mary Magdalene Ham Lewis. He is also preceded in death by his beloved wife of almost 70 years, Annie Yvonne White Lewis(May 17, 2014); his son, Ralphel Eldon Lewis(July 5, 1948); and his siblings, Elliot Herschel Lewis(November 2, 1925), Joseph Dalton “J.D.” Lewis (September 8, 1920), Hugh Donald Lewis(December 21, 1983), Sarah Elizabeth Lewis Dowling (December 27, 1948) and Laura Faye Lewis Depratter(February 14, 1977).

Mr. Eldon worked with Palm Furniture Company for 25years, 20 years as a Pastor with the Church of God of Prophecy, and 20 years with Lewis Insurance Agency. He grew up in Brantley County attending school with his older brothers and younger sisters. Due to the pre-mature death of his father Pete Lewis, Mr. Eldon went to work at an early age to help support the family and his mother Maggie Lewis. He attended Brantley County High School and on December 26, 1927 he married Annie Yvonne White. In the 1940’s, he served as a Merchant Seaman. Throughout his life, he has resided in Nahunta, GA, Jacksonville, FL, Palatka, FL, Ft. Myers, Fl, Tampa, FL, Sanford, FL, and Waycross, GA and has held may positions with the Kiwanis and Exchange Club in Waycross. He was also active in the Church Business and Ministerial Associations and has numerous accolades for his service and devotion to his church and Civic groups that he was affiliated with. Mr. Eldon was a great Husband, Father, and Pastor touching hundreds of lives and always having a positive influence on the lives he touched. The only disappointment he ever mentioned was that he did not accept Christ earlier in his life and that he did not win more souls to salvation. His hobby and greatest enjoyment was being around people. He never met a stranger and had a quick wit, always had a story to tell and brought joy to every room and conversation that he was in.

Survivors include his children that he was very proud of, Wanda Vernice Lewis Gailey (Bill) of Rydale, GA, Charlie Elvin Lewis (Fran) of Thomasville, GA, Sophia Bonita Lewis Smith (Derrell) of Palatka, FL, and Eldon Jefferson “Jeff” Lewis, Jr. (Amy) of Asheville, NC; his 9 Grandchildren, Will, Rich, Zack, Nick, Robert, Lynsey, Phillip, Jessica, and Jeffrey; 16 Great Grandchildren and one on the way; 2 sisters, Wilma Oleta Lewis Strickland of Hortense and Edith Marvine Lewis Altman of Nahunta; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held Tuesday evening (April 5, 2016) from 5-7PM at Frye Funeral Home, 136 Satilla Ave. Nahunta, GA 31553.

A celebration of life will be held Wednesday morning (April 6, 2016) at 10am at Southside Baptist Church in Nahunta with Rev. Johnny McDaniel and Rev. Timothy Reynolds officiating. Burial will follow in Rob Lewis Cemetery in Raybon.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, William Gailey, Richard Gailey, Robert Smith, Phillip Smith, Zachary Lewis, Nicholas Lewis, Travis Thomas, and Jeffrey Lewis.

Arrangements are with Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.fryefh.com.