HOMEGOING CELEBRATION
OMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF
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Wednesday, November 27, 2019
11:00 A.M.
PAINE COLLEGE
GILBERT- LAMBUTH MEMORIAL CHAPEL
1235 Fifteenth Street | Augusta, Georgia
Reverend Eugene Waltower - Officiating
Reverend Dr. Robert W. Turner, Jr. - Presiding
Pastor Emeritus, Good Samaritan Baptist Church and
First Advisor, Ushers Union of Georgia
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PSALM 91
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say
of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in
him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the
snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He
shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings
shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the
arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that
walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth
at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten
thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh
thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the
reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord,
which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague
come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels
charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall
bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot
against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder:
the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under
feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will
I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath
known my name. He shall call upon me, and 1 will answer
him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and
honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew
him my salvation.
When the
I try to live,
THE OBITUARY
Leila Mae Hudson Lewis began her spiritual and human journey on
February 12, 1943, as a beautiful baby girl in Matthews, Georgia. She
was born to two loving, devoted, Christian parents named Thomas
Handy Hudson, Sr. and Dolan Lamar Hudson. They provided the love,
support, influence and child rearing principles in alignment with Gods
Word that would facilitate her growth into the avatar of wisdom,
leadership and provision she would adopt as her beatitudes and utilize
throughout her journey as a living sacrifice of Gods purpose.
Leila became a faithful member with the body of Christ at a very early
age. She was baptized at Flatrock Missionary Baptist Church. She was
raised in a Christian home by a father who was a profound Baptist
minister and a mother, who was a distinguished and respected First
Lady. Her pledge of discipleship led her to serve in many capacities
within the church throughout her lifetime. Her presence will forever be
felt as a door keeper in the house of the Lord as she served steadfastly
in her pristine white and elegant navy usher uniforms. She represented
the ushers well as the Chief at Gethsemane Baptist Church for several
decades and as the President for the Ushers Union of Georgia for
twenty-eight years. As a president, she was firm, fair and very business'
minded. She presided her meetings with tremendous systematic goals.
Her presence commanded respect and commitment to a planned agenda.
Her bright smile and adherence to the bylaws of the Ushers Union made
her a familiar personality at many church functions and anniversaries in
the area. She also chaired many committees and groomed the churchs
youth as the Chairperson for the holiday programs.
Leila attended public elementary and secondary school in Augusta,
Georgia. She was a proud member of the graduating Class of 1962 of
Lucy C. Laney High School. Upon graduation, she made the choice
to travel North to work as a domestic worker. After acquiring the
necessary skills for the profession, Leila made the pivotal decision to
return to Augusta to assist her parents in rearing her younger siblings.
Upon returning to Augusta, Leila attended Augusta Technical School
for Cosmetology. After working in only a few salons such as Louvenias,
Leila became the sole proprietor and owner of Leilas Beauty Salon. Her
many patrons received quality services, perfected coifs, and Christian
courtesy as her clients for fifty-two years. She continuously updated
her education by participating in coursework and attending beauty
showcases such as Bronner Brothers that increased her skills as a
master cosmetologist.
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THE OBITUARY
CONTINUTED
She was also a proud sponsor of several stylists and barbers who benefited
by serving an apprenticeship with a beautician devoted to customer service
and appreciation. She further gave back to the profession by serving as an
instructor at the Mar'Jans Beauty School for many years. She was a proud
member of the Augusta Chapter of the Beauty Culturist League.
In 1965, she was joined in Holy Matrimony to Joe Lewis, who affectionately
called her Sweetie. They had many years of wedded bliss before he preceded
her in death. They had no natural born children, however, they adopted and
cared for many nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and
others within their community.
By being a good steward of her money, Leila was also a successful real estate
investor. This allowed her to influence many lives outside of the church. She
provided shelter, advice, and nourishment to many of her tenants and their
families throughout the years. Leila was a beacon of hope, a drum majorette for
the discouraged, and a matriarch to many lonely and destitute souls. She was
a genuine spirit dedicated to service and providing for those who could not
provide for themselves. She remained an Augusta resident for the rest of her
life providing leadership, mentoring, and financial means for countless other
family members, church members, and others in the community.
On November 21, 2019, Leila heeded the Masters call to pass the mantle and
to enter into that hollowed space of peace that God guarantees his faithful
saints. She had lived her life in such a way that she was prepared to take this
final walk of faith and be reunited with her many loved ones who had gone on
before her. She had earned this opportunity to rest in the bosom of God, no
longer to suffer the pains of illness, but to be rewarded for her many deeds of
benevolence shown to others through her constant willingness to share her
spiritual and physical talents to those in need.
Leila leaves to cherish her precious memories, four women, affectionately called
Her Girls who were raised, nurtured by, provided for, and beloved by Leila:
Dr. Shannon Crawford, Tabitha (Gregg) Ellison, Tyneisha (Anthony) Tate and
Dr. Kemberley (Ollie) Higdon, all of Augusta, GA; her siblings, Thomas (Mary)
Hudson, Jr. and Dorothy Beard; a loving aunt, Daisy (Reverend Hosee) Terrell
of Atlanta, GA; a devoted cousin, James (Alberta) Adams of Suffolk, VA; a very
loving and devoted companion, Marvin Jimperson; and a multitude of nieces,
nephews, great nieces and nephews.
ORDER OF SERVICE
Prelude....................................Mr. Herbert Vernon Butler
Processional...............................Mr. Herbert Vernon Butler
Order My Steps
Selection.............................................Congregation
I Am On The Battlefield For My Lord
Scriptures................................Reverend Dr. Hosea Terrell
Old and New Testaments
Invocation................................Reverend Gordon Thomas
Ross Grove Baptist Church
Solo..........................................Pastor General Jennings
Bottsford Spring Missionary Baptist Church
Reflections
As A Friend................................Susie Goodman
As An Usher................................Tony Howard
President of Ushers Union of Georgia
As A Co-worker/Employee....................Sophia Knight
Resolution........................................Rosia Young
Ushers March and Song...............................Ed Lowery
President of the Board of Directors
Affirmation of Faith............Reverend Dr. Robert W. Turner Jr.
Acknowledgements..........................Dr. Kemberley Higdon
Poem.........................................Selina Hamby-Davis
Solo.........................................Sister Robin Miller
Words of Comfort and Wisdom..............Reverend Eugene Waltower
Mount Carmel Baptist Church
Recessional
Ill Fly Away

MY LAST REQUEST
Please dont say that I gave up, just say that I gave in; dont say I lost the battle, for it was Gods
war to lose or win; please dont say how good I was, but that 1 did my best; just say 1 tried to do
whats right, to give the most I could, not less; please dont give me wings or halos, thats for God
to do; I want no more than I deserve, no extras, just my due; please dont give flowers, or talk in
real hushed tones; dont be concerned about me now, Im well with God, Ive made it home; dont
talk about what could have been, its over and its done, just see to all my familys needs, especially
the little ones; whenyou draw a picture of me, dont draw me as a saint; Ive done some good, Ive
done some wrong so, use all your paint; not just the bright and light tones, use some gray and
dark; in fact, dont put me down on canvas, paint me in your heart; dont just remember the good
times, but remember all the bad; for life is full of many things, some happy and some sad, but if
you must do something then I have one request: forgive me for the wrongs Ive done, and with the
love thats left, thank God for my souls resting. Thank God for Ive been blessed, thank God for
all who loved me, praise God who loved me best.
We, the family of the late Ms. Leila Hudson Lewis, wish to express our most
profound and inexplicable appreciation for all acts and expressions of concern
during the illness and the inevitable passing of our beloved Leila. Furthermore, we
want you to know that your presence here today was appreciated as we celebrate
our Auntie Maemae. You shall hear from us at a later date. H
* "ill
' With all of our thanks, the Family of Ms. Leila Hudson Lewis - M
WORDS OF GRATITUDE
W. H. MAYS MORTUARY
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