Jesse James Lewis was born to Arline Lewis on August 19, 1926 in Hallsboro, Columbus County, North Carolina. Following the death of his mother, he lived for a time with his beloved Uncle James Lewis and Aunt Annie Mae Lewis in Chadbourn, North Carolina. He later moved to Little River, South Carolina where he was raised by his Aunt Sarah Lewis Smith. He attended public schools in Chadbourn, NC completing his formal education in Little River. He served in the United States Army from April 1944 to June 1946. Jesse was a bright, active and creative man who loved gadgets and building things. Jesse loved being outdoors and worked for many years as a construction laborer building bridges including the expansive Ashley Cooper Bridge in Charleston, SC and other projects including contruction in the Hampton Roads Tunnel in Norfolk, VA. Jesse accepted Christ at an early age and served faithfully at St. John's A.M.E. Church in Norfolk, VA until his death. He was a member of the Male Sunday School Class, Chancel Choir, Brock-Hunter Fellowship Group, Male Chorus, Lay Organization, Sons of Allen/Brothers for Christ, Volunteer Monitor for N.E.S.T. and the Samuel T. Holmes Hope Ministry. He also served as the groundskeeper for the church.
Jesse was married to Mattie Louise Gore. To this union was born a daughter, Linda Diann. He was married to Modele Whitehead at his death. Jesse loved children including granddaughter Kimberly Alexander (George); great-grands, Whitney, Christopher and Sadat; step-children, Jacqueline, Ernestine, John, Bennie and Mary. He enjoyed the company of many collegues, church and Sunday school class members and neighbors in the Oakmont North subdivision.
Left to cherish his precious memory are his daughter, Linda (William) Lewis Byers; granddaughter, Kimberly and family; Modele, children and great-grand children; Aunt, Janie M. Lewis; cousin, Ransom Murphy and his wife Marie. Also cherishing his memory are his cousins, Hazel West, James R. Lewis, Jr., Willie Mae Perry and his neighbors, the Burton and the Lamb families.
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