Celebrating the Life, Legacy, and Spirit of Lillian Miles Lewis, March 3, 1939- December 31, 2012

. L FE, lEGA. CY , AND SPIRIT
Of

MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2013
11:00 A.M.
EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH 407 AUBURN AVENUE
ATLANTA, GEORGIA

A wife ofnohle character who can finJ? She Mworthfar more than rubw. Her hwhanJ htMfull confiJence in her anJ laclc:J nothing of"alue. She hringr1 himgood, not harm, aU the dayr1 ofher life.. .. She operM her arrrM to the poor anJ extendrJ her hanJr1 to the needy.
She rnalcu co"eringr1for her hid; r1he Mclothed infine linen anJpurple.
Her hwhanJ Mr&Jpected at the citygate, where he talcM hi:l r1eat among the She Mclothed wilh r1trength anJ dignity; r1he can laugh at the daycJ to come. She r1peah wilh wi:ldom, anJfailhful wtruction i1 on her tongue. She watch&J o"er the ajfairr1 ofher howehofJ anJ do&J noteat the hreaJ ofwteru::dc Her chi/Jren ari:le anJ call her hi<JrJed, her hwhanJ alio, anJ he praM&J her: ''Many women do nohle thingr1, hut you rJurptMti them aiL " Charm Mdecepti"e, anJ hemdy Mfleet~ hut a woman whofearrJ the WRD Mto Gi"e her the reward r1he htM earned, anJ let her worlc:J hring herprai:le at the city
Excerp&from Pro"erhrJ31:10-31 New lnteriUliwnaL ~rr1wn

The Reverend Dr. Raphael G. Warnock_, Officiating

PRELUDE DR. DAVID F. OLIVER, ORGANIST
PROCESSIONAL

HYMN OF PRAISE ''How Great ThouArt'~ Hymn #148 EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH CHOIR (CONGREGATION STANDING)

TH E OLD T ESTAM ENT TH E N EW T ESTAMENT

SCRIPTURE READING Eccle.JiaJte.J.J: 1-~ 14-1~ 1~ 20
1 Corinthiaru 15:51-57

D R. LORI M . H OBBS D R. LI SA M. H OBBS

WORDS OF COMFORT & PRAYER OR. JOSEP H L. ROBERTS, SEN IOR PASTOR EMERITUS , EBENEZER BAPT IST CHURCH

CELEBRATION IN SONG "The La.Jt Mile of the Way " MS. JENN IFER HOLLIDAY

REFLECT IONS
MRS. CHRISTINE KING FARRIS I AMBASSADORANDREW ). YOUNG
THE REVEREND )ESSE L. JACKSON , SR. I MRS. XERNONA CLAYTON BRADY

CELEBRATIO N IN SO NG "TotalPraue'~ Hymn #11.1 EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH CHOIR

REFLECTIONS
MS. SHERRY FRANK I MR. WARREN HAYES I MS. ANITA HILL

C ELEBRATION IN SONG
'7/ I Can Help Someboi}y n
MS. MARY GURLEY

EULOGY THE REVEREND DR. RAPHAEL G. WARNOCK, SENIOR PASTOR, EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS MRS. LYN VAUGHN VANN

RECESSIONAL '7'm Going Up A Yonder , EBENEZER BAPT IST CHURCH CHO IR
~d~
SOUTHVIEW CEMETERY, 1990 JONESBORO ROAD, S.E. , ATLANTA, GEORG IA

aCharm u deceptive, and beauty u fleetingj but a woman who jearr1 the LORD u to be praued. n Proverbr1 31:30
~Miles Lewis, born March 3, 1939, indeed reVered the
Lord. She was the youngest of three daughters born to Mr. Harry W and Mrs. Mamie Miles of Los Angeles, California. Lillian, her older sister Harriet and her middle sister Deborah, were all instilled with the love of God while attending Calvary Baptist Church. Their parents also imbued the girls with a profound appreciation for learning. All three girls graduated from Los Angeles High School and went on to finish college. Lillian earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social LiLLian, Harriet anJ Deb Studies with a minor in English from what is now California State College at Los Angeles. She and her classmate, the late Johnnie Cochran, were members of the Class of 1957. From Cal State, Lillian entered the University of Southern California where she received a Master's degree in Library Sciences.
((She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. " Proverbs 31:20
Lillian's generosity and unquenchable curiosity, which endeared her throughout her life to her numerous and varied friends, were evident even as a very young woman. While a college student, she travelled to Nigeria and mindful of the tremendous need there, decided to return after completing her education. For two years, she served as a volunteer teacher in a new program that had been just implemented by then President John F. Kennedy-the Peace Corps.
The JophiJticateJ _qraJuate
'11 wife ofnoble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing ofvalue.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days ofher life. " Proverbs 31:10-12
Back in the United States, Lillian returned to Los Angeles for a year before accepting a position at Atlanta University as a librarian and Director of Special Collections in 1965. Sporting the self-assurance of a born and bred Los Angelean, Miss Lillian Miles broke through the often rigid borders of African-American society in Atlanta to become an integral part of its academic, political, cultural and social milieu.

t~ t:e~:ory has become legend now, but 1967 New Year's Eve party of

her friend, pioneering TV host and civil

rights activist Xernona Clayton that Lillian

was introduced to a man she greatly admired

and who would become her husband-John

Robert Lewis. Like most of the nation, she

had followed his courageous battles against

segregation. And as Lillian put it, "I was

Wedding Jay, December 21, l968

attracted to him before I knew him. Every

day and every night on the news (there) was something about what was happening in the

civil rights movement, so I felt like I knew him." John Robert Lewis and Lillian Miles were

married in the sanctuary of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on December 21, 1968.

The family grew with the addition of their son, John Miles, born May 24, 1976.

It is her husband, U. S. Representative John Lewis, who credits his wife with being the

proverbial power behind his political

career. His first election success was to

the Atlanta City Council in 1981 , and

then he was elected to the U.S. Congress

in 1986. Lewis has served 26 years in

the U.S. House of Representatives with

Lillian by his side every step of the way.

During his early years in Washington,

Lillian held leadership roles in many

Congressional Black Caucus Spouses initiatives.

John, John Mile.~ and Lillian 1976

; Xouses continue to raise thousands
~:~:~ships to advance educational
opportunity and academic excellence. During the same time period, Lillian assumed greater responsibilities at Clark Atlanta University (CAU). From 1984-1989, she served as Associate Director of the Institute for International Affairs and Development; and from 1989-2003, Lillian was Director of External Affairs in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at CAU.
'~ ...she is clothed in fine linen andpurple." Proverbs 31:22

LilLian anJjriend..1, inc!uJing Loretta Scott King and Xemona Clayton

Lillian's personal style was as unique as she was. No staid navy blue uniform-like suit would do for her-no, indeed! Lillian thrived on vivid bright, tropical hues and patterns in her clothing and accessories. Her husband will tell you today that she loved shoes and handbags so much that he once teasingly forbade her to bring another new purse into the house! Nonetheless, her couturier made sure she was kept abreast of the very latest bold fashions.

The '.'f'ruit" ,ill'eater-one ofherfiworite.J

"She speaks with wisdom, andfaithful instruction is on her tongue. Proverbs 31: 26

~n Miles Lewis had legions of

friends and maintained an intimate

knowledge of their careers and personal

lives. She never forgot any detail and

would recall nuggets of their life histories

long after they had forgotten them. She

loved to hear a good story-whether

personal or political, purposeful or purely

for fun. Mention a problem or difficulty,

John Mi!u heading to grammer ,;chooL...

and she would immediately set about seeking the solution for you. She would

do anything within her earthly and spiritual power to aid her husband John, her son John

Miles, her sisters Harriet and Deb, other family members and many friends.

Lil, Lilly, Lillian, we love so much and miss you even more. We miss your zest for enjoying
every moment of life and living well. We miss your searching out the interesting, the unusual and the brilliant and bringing us along as you explore all the gifts of God's great universe. We bid you farewell and au revoir. We thank you for the gracious blessings you so generously leave behind and the trail of brilliance that marks your life.

Lillian Miles Lewis leaves to mourn her passing: husband John; son John Miles; sister and brother-in-law Deborah (Samuel) Dixon and their sons, Jonathan, David and Anthony; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Henry (Jeretha) Lewis; Samuel (Wanda) Lewis; William Lewis; Ethel Mae (Willie Lee) Tyner; Rosa Mae (Wallace) Tyner; and Freddie (Mary Helen) Lewis. Lillian also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, godchildren, other family members, and, of course, her legions of friends, colleagues and associates.

.. .anJ aLLgrown up!

HOWARD BROWN MICHAEL COLLINS ANTHONY DIXON

KEITH HARRIS, M.D. GRANT LEWIS CARL NELSON

CITY OF ATLANTA POLICE DEPARTMENT HONOR GUARD

THE HONORABLE MICHAEL JULIAN BOND EARL BURKE
THE HONORABLE BILL CAMPBELL THE HONORABLE BUDDY DARDEN

DWIGHT EUBANKS TOM HOUCK JOE LARCHE
THE HONORABLE C.T. MARTIN

THE HONORABLE IVORY LEE YOUNG , JR.

SHIRLEY BARNHART ALICE BOND CAROL DOVE
THE HONORABLE SHIRLEY FRANKLIN SANDRA JAMES

MAUDE KING DEBORAH LOVEJOY MIGNON MORMAN
SUSAN ROSS SIMONE WARD

THE HONORABLE MAYOR KASIM REED AND STAFF

WE , THE FAMILY OF LILLIAN MILES LEWIS, WISH TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS , SUPPORT AND INNUMERABLE ACTS OF KINDNESS. YOU HAVE REACHED OUT TO US IN SO MANY WAYS --THROUGH PHONE CALLS , VISITS , CARDS , FLOWERS , AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO LILLIAN 'S FAVORITE CHARITY ORGANIZATION-THE AMERICAN KIDNEY FOUNDATION .
WE DEEPLY APPRECIATE THE OUTSTANDING WORK OF OR. ANTONIO GUASH AND THE ENTIRE MEDICAL AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF OF EMORY UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL. THE NURSING STAFF AT THE BRIARCLIFF HAVEN HEALTHCARE AND REHABILITATION CENTER, AND MARY PARIS OF RENAL CARE PARTNERS HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS. WE SEND SPECIAL WARM THANKS TO TWO ANGELS , HER FRIEND JOHNNIE RUSSELL AND JACKIE BATEY, WHO LOVED AND CARED FOR HER.
IN OUR HOUR OF GRIEF, ATLANTA MAYOR KASIM REED, FULTON COUNTY CHAIRMAN JOHN EAVES , AND STAFF HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY GRACIOUS AND SUPPORTIVE TO US. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK REVEREND RAPHAEL WARNOCK AND THE EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH FAMILY FOR SUSTAINING US WITH THEIR PRAYERS, THEIR LOVE , AND THEIR CHRISTIAN SERVICE. AND FINALLY, TO THOSE OF YOU WHO SHARED LILLIAN 'S AMAZING JOURNEY, WE THANK YOU FOR HELPING US CELEBRATE HER EXTRAORDINARY LIFE.
WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR EVERY COURTESY AND EACH EXPRESSION OF CONCERN. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO RICHLY BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
THE JOHN R. LEWIS FAMILY

WILLIE A. WATKINS FUNERAL HOME 1003 RALPH DAVID ABERNATHY BOULEVARD , S.W.
ATLANTA. GEORGIA 30310

Q~~~ 404 .755 .0965

THE LIFE, LEGACY, AND SPIRIT
OF MARCH 3 . 1939 - DECEMBER 31. 2012
uYour word u a lamp to my feet and
a Light to my path. u Pr:~alm 119:105