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 
Professional Service A Family Tradition Since 1922 
1221 James Brown Boulevard 
Augusta, Georgia 30901 
(706)722-6401 
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