A celebration of life will be convened for Rev. Lewis, March 2, 2013 at the Ben Johnson Auditorium, 400 MLK Drive, Natchitoches, LA 71457 at 11:00 a. m. with burial following in the Lawrence Serenity Sanctum. The remains will lie in state at the auditorium Saturday from 8:00 a. m. to service time. The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity rites will be performed at 10:00 a. m. The family's repast hour will take place at the MLK Recreation Center, 660 MLK Drive, Natchitoches, LA 71457.

Reverend George Stanley Lewis, the third of three surviving children of the late Mr. and Mrs. Isaiah Lewis, was born at Flint Goodrich Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 28, 1933. As a child he was baptized by the late Reverend Dr. George McWaters at Pleasant Zion Baptist Church where he remained an active member until departing for Grambling State College in 1952.
He received his educational foundation in the public schools of New Orleans, graduating from J. S. Clark High School. An athletic individual, he served as captain of his high school football team at J. S. Clark High School. He pursued and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Science/Physical Education from Grambling State College and a Masters Degree from Northwestern State University which included credits from the University of Arkansas and New York University. At Northwestern, he was honored by his selection as the first African American named to the Long Purple Line, in recognition of his service to the University and to the community at large. It was at Grambling that he met the "jewel" of his life, Ms. Edwina Lucille Mudrick. They were married in Natchitoches on December 27, 1956.

Upon completing two years in the United States Army, he relocated to Natchitoches, where he established membership with First Baptist Church North Street under the pastorship of the late Reverend G. B. Scott, a relationship which spanned over 50 years and included many years of service as a Sunday School teacher.

After his military service, he served the schools of Natchitoches Parish for thirty-four years in various positions including, classroom teacher, coach, Supervisor, and Coordinator of Health, Physical Education and Fitness. His final position was that of Director of Administration and Special Education. He continued his relationship with education through membership in the Natchitoches Parish Retired Educators Association and the Louisiana Retired Teachers Association. His concern for and relationship with youth, was evidenced by the many years that he provided opportunities for wholesome basketball involvement by securing access to school gymnasiums for games in which he was actively involved.

He earned Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Theology from the United Theological Seminary and Bible College, Monroe extension, where he later served on the Instructional Staff for many years. His concern for the spiritual growth and health of community youth was evident throughout his years of service.

Licensed to preach in 1999, Reverend Lewis was ordained as Pastor of First Baptist Church North Street in 2001, a position he held for over eight years. His Midweek services provided an opportunity for all members to actively participate in a discussion of the Word, asking questions and sharing concerns, thus receiving a deeper and more thorough understanding of God's Word. At First Baptist, he encouraged the creation of opportunities for youth to develop and exhibit their talents through recitation of poetry, skits, Liturgical Dance and participation in District events. His involvement with First Baptist continued following his retirement from active Pastorship on December 5, 2009, as he could be found seated in the pulpit every Sunday for as long as his health permitted, assisting at the request of the current pastor. In 2011, he was honored with the title of Pastor Emeritus.

Reverend Lewis was an active member of the Congress of the 2nd Regular Baptist Association, 12th District of Louisiana, where he served as First Vice President, Assistant Moderator, and Assistant BTU Director. In addition to sharing the Word from the pulpit over the years, he was a noted motivational and inspirational speaker, beginning in college.

As a community servant, Reverend Lewis served for many years as the manager of the Lee Street Swimming Pool and the city sponsored Summer Day Care Program held at the then North Natchitoches Elementary School. He served as a former Board of Directors member of the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) under the leadership of Governors David Treen (1983), Edwin Edwards
(1984), and Buddy Roemer (1999). He served two terms as President of the Black Caucus of the International Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the G. Stanley Lewis Special Education Scholarship, Inc. Along with the late Rev. Joseph Dupree, Rev. James Graham, and Father Greg Downs, he served as an organizing member of NAACO (Natchitoches Alliance for Churches and Community Outreach). In 2009, Reverend Lewis was one of twelve individuals named "Natchitoches Treasures" by the City of Natchitoches.

A talented cook and entrepreneur, Rev. Lewis created and operated "MaMere'D," a licensed, family owned food preparation business, that prepared and shipped microwave ready food items that were sought by individuals throughout the country. His annual Christmas Festival Open House featuring New Orleans style Seafood Gumbo attracted friends and relatives from far and near.

A lifetime member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Reverend Lewis was initiated into Gamma Gamma Chapter at Grambling State University, December 12, 1953. He maintains active membership through Epsilon Chi Chapter in Alexandria. He organized and served as Advisor to Theta Delta chapter at Northwestern State University for more than 25 years. In addition, he organized Xi Alpha Alpha Chapter in Natchitoches, the United Omegas of Louisiana, where he was named President Emeritus. Over the years, he served on various committees at the local, state, district, and National level and was Omega Man of the Year in 1980. Evidence of his involvement are more than 30 plaques, certificates presented in recognition of his service over the years. A great honor and tribute to his membership was the initiation of his grandson Kristopher Lewis into Omega at Dillard University 2011. At the 2012 District Meeting which he attended in Little Rock, a special activity for high school youth which he developed was named after him, the G. Stanley Lewis Q Lock.

Left to cherish and pass on the rich and treasured life of Reverend George S. Lewis are his devoted wife of 56 years, his "jewel" Edwina Mudrick Lewis and three children: Denise Yvette Lewis Patrick and husband Austin Patrick, Montclair, NJ; Kevin Milton Lewis, Sr. and wife René Crosby Lewis, Natchitoches, LA; Shady Grove; and Yolande Alita Lewis, Natchitoches, LA; and a special nephew, Deryck Vonn Lee of Brooklyn, NY.

The legacy continues through six grandsons: Kevin M. Lewis, Jr. (New Orleans, LA); Matthew F. Patrick (Hunter College, (New York, NY); Dillon B. Patrick (Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburg, PA), Kristopher M. Lewis (Dillard University, New Orleans, LA); and Alexander L. Patrick (Essex County College); and Jackson T. Patrick (Montclair High School, Montclair, NJ). Sister, Elizabeth L. Smith and Brother, Wilbert M. Lewis (New Orleans, LA); Sisters-in-law: Mary K. Wells, (Houston, TX); and Frances Walters (Dallas, TX); Brother-in-law: Autry Walters (Dallas). Other cherished survivors include a large number of nieces, nephews, cousins and Brothers of Omega Psi Phi located throughout the continental United States and abroad.