Joyce (Williams) Lewis, 85, of Glouster, Ohio, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at her home on Sunday, May 5, 2024. Joyce was born on August 15, 1938, in Athens, Ohio, and was the oldest of ten siblings. She lived a life marked by commitment to God, family, love, and faith. She was raised by her grandfather Charles Williams, affectionately known as “Grandpa Charlie,” and his wife, Maude. Her Uncle, Richard Willams, also strongly influenced her life.
Joyce graduated from Glouster High School in 1956 as the class Salutatorian. She excelled in her English and Literature classes. Joyce met her high school sweetheart, Ernie Lewis from Trimble, Ohio, at the beach during this time, and it was a love-at-first-sight encounter. After Joyce and Ernie’s courtship and high school graduation, they married on April 19, 1957. Joyce and Ernie have been married for 67 years, and they endured life’s peaks and valleys together as an inseparable couple. During their working years, Joyce never failed to ensure that Ernie was sent off to work with love, even in the wee hours of the morning. She attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, for three years but felt motherhood was a more significant calling for her. Her style of motherhood was one of patience and gentle nudges of guidance. Once their children were older, she began working part-time in medical offices as an administrator. She enjoyed interacting with the patients, and her choice of work centered around keeping offices running efficiently. During her retirement years, she enjoyed sewing, quilting, traveling, and spending winters in Florida. She was a voracious reader, reading hundreds of books during her lifetime. She was intensively inquisitive. She loved to solve puzzles and watch Jeopardy, often answering questions well before the contestants. She loved to dote on her five grandchildren. They were very important to Joyce.
Faith was the centerpiece of Joyce’s life. She was a Glouster Church of Christ member for over 80 years. She lived out her faith in daily obedience to God. She gladly praised the Lord, singing solos at church and solemn events. She was particularly drawn to the song “How Great Thou Art.” She also liked the following Bible verse: Therefore, humble yourselves under God’s power, so that He may raise you up in the last day. (1 Peter 5:6).
Joyce enjoyed the friendships of many people, but her continual close friendship with her high school friend, Babara Roback of Glouster, Ohio, must be noted.
The Lewis family wishes to thank the Ohio Health Hospice team and Valarie McGill for the compassionate care provided to Joyce.
Joyce is survived by her husband, Ernie Lewis of Glouster, Ohio; her son, Michael (Anne) Lewis of Little Rock, Arkansas; her daughter, Brook (Trevor) Unger of South Bloomingville, Ohio; her sisters Teri Ann Harvey of Beverly, Ohio, Amber Williams of Greenhead, Florida, Tedi Starr Williams of Millfield, Ohio, and Taffanie Williams of Glouster, Ohio, and her brothers Alan Winegarner of Kalispell, Montana, Max Williams of Waverly, Ohio, and Rodney Williams of New Marshfield, Ohio.
Joyce was preceded in death by her son, Stephen (Jeri Dee) Lewis, her Baby Boy Lewis, who died at childbirth; her father, Theodore Williams; her grandfather, Charles Williams; her grandmother, Maude Williams; and her sisters, Fran Keirns and Stormy Williams.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 13, 2024, at the Morrison Funeral Chapel in Bishopville, Ohio, with Tim Seevers officiating. The family will receive friends at noon, and the memorial service will begin at 1:00 p.m. A brief graveside service will follow immediately after the memorial service at Maplewood Cemetery, where her cremains will be placed to rest.
Instead of flowers, the family requests donations for Trimble High School Graduating Students continuing education be made to Ernie and Joyce Lewis Scholarship Fund, c/o Wellington Charles Advisors, PO Box 241265 Little Rock, Arkansas 72223.
