Raymond Ray Lewis, 83, of Elizabethton, passed away Sunday, August 17, 2014, at Johnson City Medical Center.
A native of Ashe County, N.C., he was a son of the late Carl S. Eastridge and Lillie Lewis. He had lived a number of years in Carter County.
Mr. Lewis served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He had served in the Tennessee National Guard for 38 years, receiving the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2. He was also retired from the Kingsport School System as a School Bus Driver.
Mr. Lewis was a member of Edgefield United Methodist Church, Piney Flats. He was a member of the following: Member and Past Worshipful Master of MM Martin Lodge #547, Piney Flats, Member and Past Potentate of Jericho Temple, The York Rite, The Scottish Rite, Zollicoffer #444 Order of Eastern Star, Bluff City, Charter President of Rocky Springs Ruritan Club and V.F.W. Post No. 2166.
Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth “Bib” Oliver Lewis; three children, Jan Renee Weaver and husband John, Piney Flats, Steven Ray Lewis and fiancée Barbara Leonard, Bristol, Tenn., and Philip Wayne Lewis and wife Deltha Ann, Easley, S.C.; three step-children, JoAnn Hamm Nidiffer and husband Donley and Jewel Ward and husband Dale, all of Elizabethton, and Noel Branch, Johnson City; four grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; and several brothers and sisters.
Funeral services for Mr. Lewis will be conducted at 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 20, at Memorial Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Richard Rudesill and the Rev. Dale Ward officiating. Graveside services and interment will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, August 21, in the St. Paul United Methodist Church Cemetery, Piney Flats. Music at the cemetery will be provided by the Jericho Highlanders. A Masonic Service will follow the funeral service conducted by MM Martin Lodge #547. Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion and the Tennessee National Guard. Active pallbearers will be Greg Lewis, Mitchell Weaver, Noel Branch, Brad Hamm, Todd Hamm and Kevin Fritts. Honorary pallbearers will be Donald Ramsey, Howard Ensor, Randall Lewis, Lowell Garrison and John Clark. The family would like to express a special “Thank You” to the Staff of Hillview Health Center, Dr. Patrick MacMillian and Staff of ETSU Physicians. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Friends may also visit with the family at the residence. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 12:20 p.m. Thursday to go to the cemetery. Condolences may be e-mailed to mfc@chartertn.net.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Lewis family.