Charles Etta Lewis

REQUEST FROM THE LEWIS FAMILY:
As we prepare to celebrate the life of our beloved mother, we are concerned about the increase in COVID cases, especially for the unvaccinated. We look forward to seeing everyone while wanting to make sure everyone stays safe and healthy. Therefore, masks will be required for everyone for Mom’s viewing, memorial service and burial. We love each and everyone one of you and ask that you respect our wishes as we honor Mom.

Charles Etta Lewis, 81, transitioned to her eternal reward on July 18, 2021 while in in-home hospice in Hendersonville, TN surrounded by her loving family. She was born on October 18, 1939, in Danville, KY, the daughter of Charles A. Coffey and Ruby (Wilkinson) Coffey.

Charles Etta attended elementary and secondary school in Danville, KY and Detroit, MI where she lived briefly with her father. Raised by her maternal grandparents, Ed and Cora Wilkinson, Charles Etta grew up loving nature and her family. She was artistically gifted with creativity in sewing and needlepoint.

In her late teens, she married James Arthur Lewis, Sr., who was a serviceman in the U.S. Air Force. To this union, four children were born – James, Jr., Miles Quintin (who died shortly after birth), Alan Laird, and Starr Luree. The young family lived in Kansas City, MO and Somerset, KY before settling in Atlanta, Georgia.

Charles Etta was a devoted homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who upheld her family as her top priority. She was committed to raising her children in an environment that nurtured and inspired them to excel in their gifts and talents. She loved God and acknowledged him for guiding her throughout her life. She was known for her sewing and intricate needlework and was a consummate artist who enjoyed painting and photography and had an eye for fashion and style. She inherited these gifts from her late father and have passed on these gifts and talents to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In her later years, she especially loved making blankets, quilts and dolls for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Each one has a commemorative blanket that welcomed their arrival as infants. She was known for her holiday baking of M&M cookies and german chocolate cakes and pies. She always made her favorite time of the year, Christmas, a magical place and time for her family.

While in Atlanta, she was a faithful member of First Apostolic Ministries, until her declining health required her to live with her oldest son, James Jr., and his family in NC. Charles Etta loved her favorite TV shows, HGTV, scary movies and sci-fi programs. She always cherished the time she could return to her Kentucky roots to spend time with family and friends. Her 80th birthday celebration was a memorable occasion as family from far and near came to NC to celebrate her in 2019.

She was preceded in death by her loving grandparents, Ed & Cora Wilkinson, her father Charles A. Coffey, her mother Ruby Wilkinson Coffey Edwards, and her husband James Arthur Lewis, Sr. She leaves to cherish her memory an aunt/sister – Bertha “Berthie” Sweeney; a sister – Leida Coffey Garth; brothers – Charles, Rufus and Cole Coffey; her children – James (Karen) Lewis, Jr. of Hendersonville, TN; Alan (Deborah) Lewis, Sr. of Atlanta, GA; Starr (Alfred) Montgomery of San Antonio, TX; six grandchildren - Alicia (Zeron) Turlington of Atlanta, GA; James A. Lewis, III of Hendersonville, TN; David (Holly) Lewis of Goodlettsville, TN; Alan Lewis, Jr. of Atlanta, GA; Matthew (Jake) Lewis-Hall of Chicago, IL; Jacob Montgomery of San Antonio Texas; six great-grandchildren – Maleah Lewis, Monteiro Lewis, Zoë Turlington, Aiden Lewis, Zain Turlington and Amir Lewis. She also leaves to cherish her memory several nieces, nephews, cousins and church members.

A service of remembrance and celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 2:00 pm at the McKinney Brown Funeral Home at 752 Campbellsville Street, Liberty, KY 42539. Family viewing will be at 11:00 am followed by a public viewing from 12:00 noon – 1:30 pm. Interment will be at Casey County Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements are entrusted to McKinney-Brown Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.mckinneybrown.com.