Obsequies for DEACON ELIJAH LEWIS March 29, 1916- November 17, 1992 Tuesday, November 24, 1992 12:00 Noon Mt. Sinai Primitive Baptist Church 2839 lOth Street and Benner Avenue Columbus, Georgia Elder J. H. Daniel and Elder E. W. Leeks Officiating A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches and loving favour rather than silver and gold. - Proverbs 22 Obituary Elijah Lewis, know to his family as "Bud", was born in Chattahoochee County on March 29, 1916 and was the seventh child born to Joseph and Lillie Clarke Lewis. Elijah grew up and attended schools in Muscogee County and later joined the Civilian Conservation Corporation where he served until the conservation corp was dissolved, and whereupon, he was honorably discharged. He lived in Columbus most of his life and retired as a civil service mechanic at Fort Benning in 1975. Elijah married Ozeal Scott with whom he spent the rest of his life in a union of love and companionship for 58 years . To this marriage was born the children, Lillie, Eddie, James , (Jay , deceased), Sylvester, Elijah, Jr., Martha, Sandra, Ozeal (Tea), Lloyd, and Michael. Elijah joined Mt. Sinai Primitive Baptist Church in April of 1942 at an early age where he served faithfully as a deacon and was elected clerk in 1943. He also was clerk of the Union Primitive Baptist Association of Georgia. He was elected Secretary to the Treasurer of the Union Primitive Baptist Association of Georgia in 1954 and later elected clerk in 1977 where he served faithfully until his death. God in his love and wisdom took Elijah to his eternal home on Tuesday, November 17, 1992, after a short illness and before those who loved him were ready to say goodbye. He enjoyed reading and quoting the Bible. The many blessings bestowed upon him were often expressed through his most precious gifts. His most precious gifts were praying, singing, and serving the Lord faithfully. He had great wisdom and forethought, and he left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him, loved him, and honored him. His honesty to God and man was unquestionable. Elijah Lewis, Sr. leaves to cherish his memories a loving and devoted wife, Ozeal; five sons, Eddie (Mac Morris) Lewis of Albion, New Jersey, Sylvester (Cathy) Lewis and Michael Lewis of Atlanta, Georgia, Lloyd (Dorothy) Lewis of Col~mbus, Georgia, four daughters, Lillie (CC.:.deceased) Morris of Dorchester, Massachusetts, Martha (Joseph) Williams of Cusseta, Georgia, Sandra (Heinrich) Miller of Atlanta, Georgia, and Ozeal (Rev. Richard) Street of Columbus, Georgia; a brother, Willie Lewis of Birmingham, Alabama; two sisters , Odessa Erby and Latha Mahone of Columbus, Georgia; 23 grandchildren, Dana Thomas, Sylvester, Jr., Sylvia, Tracey and Eric Lewis, Alexander and Kristen Miller, Kimberlynn Williams and Michael, Jr. of Atlanta, Georgia, Tony and Elton Lewis of Albion, New Jersey, Clarence, Jr, Craig Morris , Linda Terrelonge and Brandi Owens of Dorchester, Massachusetts , Elijah Lewis III, of Martinez, Georgia, Karlos Lee, Kelvin Street and Lloyd Lewis, Jr of Columbus, Georgia, Terrell Williams of Aurora, Colorado, Ronald Williams of Detroit, Michigan, and Winifred Lewis of Arlington, Texas; 13 great-grandchildren, Andrea, Cassim, Hakim Morris and Paul Terrolonge, Jr. of Dorchester, Massachusetts, Richard Thomas, Tracie, Kogi, Ernest and Lamar Lewis of Atlanta, Georgia, Kylah, Andrea and Markell Williams of Aurora, Colorado, and Jasmine Lewis of Norfolk, North Dakota; eight sisters-in-law, Veola Jordan, Sallie Smith, Dorchester, Massachusetts, Mildred Willis, Ruby Harper, Myrtis Lewis and Minnie B. Lewis of Columbus, Georgia, Bettye Johnson of Detroit, Michigan and Lucile Lewis of Birmingham, Alabama; two brothers-in-law; Charles Jordan of Marrapan, Massachusetts and Lindsey Willis of Columbus, Georgia; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Order of Service Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfon, be of one mind, live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Processional Devotion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deacon W. Graham Deacon W. Johnson Scripture Reflections/Expressions of Love (2 minutes) Eulogy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elder J. H. Daniel Elder E. W. Leeks Acknowledgement . . . . . . . . . . . . Deacon Elijah Lewis, Jr. Farewell Glance Recessional INTERMENT Green Acres Cemetery CASKET BEARERS Sons and Grandsons FLORAL BEARERS Committee Sisters, Daughters-in-law and Granddaughters DADDY'S LAST DAY Tuesday, November 17, 1992, Elijah, Jr. spent the night and was relieved by Ozeal, Martha, and Sandra. Daddy had Junior to call us twice. He wanted his girls at the hospital. Our task this day was to get Daddy to eat and drink as much as possible. He repeated, "I don't want it, don't give me any more!" "Daddy, you have to eat." Daddy replied, "I don't have to eat anything. I am full. I already ate." "What did you eat? You do have to eat. Eat it for us." "I told you I do not have to eat." "Okay, Daddy, have it your way ." He peacefully slept off and on intermittently calling the names of his grandchildren. Later in the evening around 8:00p .m., Daddy asked, "Sand, open the door." Sand replied, "Daddy, the door is opened." "Sand, open the door." "Daddy, the door is opened . Are you okay? Daddy, are you hot (sweating profusely)?" "No, I am cool. I am not hot!" "Sand, I am going to get on a plane." "Daddy, you want to get on a plane?" "Sand, I am going to get on that plane. Open the door." "Daddy, the door is opened." "I want my feet to touch the ground . I am going to get on the plane. Open the door." "Daddy, the door is opened." "Sand, take the halo off my face." "I am wiping your face, Daddy (sweating profusely)." "Is it okay now?" "Sand, take it off my face." "I am wiping your face. Is it okay now?" Later, Daddy whispered to Martha, "I'm dying, but I'm alright now . Don't worry!" I MET THE MASTER I had walked life's way with an easy treat. Had followed where comjon and pleasure led. Until one day in a quiet place I met the master face to face. With station and rank and wealth for my goal, Much thought for my body, but none for my soul. I had entered to win in life's mad race. When I met the Master face to face. I met him and knew him and blushed to see, That his eyes full of sorrow were fixed on me, While my castles melted and vanished away. Melted and vanished, and in their place, Naught else did I see but Master's face, And I cried aloud, "Oh make me meet, To follow the steps of Thy wounded feet. " My thought is now for the souls of men, I have lost my life to find it again. E'er since one day in a quiet place, I met the Master face to face. Authorship Unknown mORNY DESERT Dark and thorny is the desert through which pilgrims make their way But beyond this vale of sorrows lie the field of endless day, Friends, loud howling through the desert, make them tremble as they go And the fiery darts of Stan often bring their courage low. 0, young soldiers, are you weary of the troubles of the way? Does your strength begin to fail you and your vigor to decay? Jesus, Jesus will go with you, He will lead you to his throne, He who dyed his garmems for you and the wine-press trod alone. He whose thunder shapes creation, he who bids the pianists roll, He who rides up on the tempest, And whose scepter always the whole, Round him are ten thousand angels, ready to obey command, They are always hovering round you, till you reach the heavenly land. 1l1ere, on flowery hills of pleasure, in the field of endless rest, Love, and joy, and peace, shall ever reign in triumph in your breast. Who can paint rhose scenes of glory, Where the ransomed dwell on high: Where the golden harps for ever sound redemption through the sky? Millions rhere offlaming seraphs fly across the heavenly plain, There they sing immortal praises - Glory, glory is their strain! But me thinks a sweeter concert makes the heavenly arches ring, And a song is heard in Zion, which the angels cannot sing. See the heavenly host in rapture gaze upon the shinning band, Wondering at their costly garments and the laurels in their hand! There, upon the golden pavement, see the ransomed march along, While the splendid courts of glory sincerely echo to their song! Oh! their crowns, how bright they sparkle, such as monarchs never wear, 1l1ey are gone to heavenly pastures -Jesus is their shepherd there. Hail, ye happy, happy spirit! Welcome to the blessful plain! Glory, honor, and salvation, reign, sweet Shepherd ever reign. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The family wishes to say "Thank You." No service in itself is small, None great, though earth is fills, But that is small that seeks it's own, And great that seeks God's will. We thank each of you for all acts of love and concern shown through cards, calls, visits, telegrams, floral tributes, food, and mere thoughts. Your many acts of love and concern have indeed exemplified the same type of spirit that was so characteristic of our loved one, "Elijah." Again, thank you , for our lives have been touched by your efforts . Th e Elijah Lewis, Sr. Family IN MEMORIUM May we take this opportunity to express sincere and deep appreciation for allowing us to serve you during this most difficult period. It is our constant aim to afford to the people of this community a service completed in all details and faultlessly executed with sympathy and understanding. Most Respectively, George W. Ford, Jr., Josephine A. Ford, Evergreen Ford Reeves, Bobby J. Davis and Staff PROGRESSIVE FUNERAL HOME, INC. 4235 St. Mary's Road Columbus, Georgia (706) 685-8023 "A touch of dignity for those who care . "