Darthel Lewis

Our beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 20, 2013 at Magnum Care with her family and friends by her side. Darthel was born July 15, 1927 in Louisville, MS to the late Prote & Eula Haynes. She married Thermon Lewis on August 17, 1946 and to that union two children were born, Doris (Henry) Lewis Porterfield and Fermer (Jacqueline) Lewis. Darthel & Thermon came to Saginaw in 1954. He predeceased her on January 9, 2005. Darthel was a lifelong member (58 yrs.) of the Whole Truth/Lewis Temple COGIC, under the leadership of Bishop Fred Lewis/Elder Jonathan Dukes, where she served in many capacities: Choir President, Sunday School Booster, Vacation Bible School Assistant, Kitchen President, Mothers Board, Hospitality President and Ways & Means Committee President. Mother loved arts and crafts, table setting, manners, etiquette and napkin folding. She had a passion for cake decorating. Her mastery of cake decorating took her many places and opened many doors for her. She was offered a position at Delta College in the Community Education Department and became an Adjunct Faculty member. She also taught cake decorating at Arthur Hill High School, Rueben Daniels and Ricker Annex night classes. She was offered the position of International Hospitality Person with Wilton Cake Decorating one year. On August 24-26, 1988, Delta awarded her with a Certificate for Time and Effort Contributed on Behalf of Delta College Community Affairs Division and the Lynn Heatly Award for Distinguished Service in Recognition of outstanding Service to Delta College and its Community. Mother Lewis was a member of the Boy Scouts Mothers Club for 50 years. She received a plaque “In Appreciation for Loyalty and Service” and an award of “Appreciation and Thanks for your Contributions and Dedication to Making the Mothers Club a Success”. Mother Lewis worked with Mother Louise Scott at the Buena Vista Community Center and on August 30, 1991, she received a “Certificate of Appreciation of Devotion and Invaluable Services Rendered to BV Senior Citizens” and in 1990, an award for spending time teaching social grace at Brunkow Elementary School. Mother Lewis was blessed with a very special grandson, Joseph Lewis, two very kind step-grandsons, Henry (Elizabeth), and John Porterfield, Farmington Hills, MI., a caring nephew, David Bandy, two very supportive god sisters, Mother Lucille Shelby and Mother Azalee Hughes and their families, a very dear friend, Alma Wyatt, faithful friends, Ritchard & Jean Bland and classmate, Marshall Goss. Mother Lewis also leaves a special sister-in-law, Mattie Haynes, Louisville, MS., special nieces and nephews, Kathy Edwards, Tampa, FL., Phyllis Adams, Zion, IL., Larry & LeRay Haynes, Milwaukee, WI., & Charles and Fannie Haynes, Rock Island, IL. We the family would like to thank all who cared for our mother during her illness, Covenant Cooper/Harrison, Fresenius Dialysis, doctors, nurses, aides at Magnum Care & Saginaw Senior Care nursing homes and Heartland Hospice. A special thank you to the Lewis Temple Church Family & the Victorious Believers Church Family. We appreciate and will never forget you. God Bless you all. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 26, 2013 at Lewis Temple Church of God in Christ, 3300 Hess Street. Elder Johnny W. Dukes will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue, on Thursday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. The family will be present at 6:00 p.m. for the family hour.

Darthel Lewis

July 15, 1927 - July 20, 2013