Dr. Louis Herman Levy

He grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana as the oldest of five children. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana Lafayette), his Master’s degree in Sociology from Louisiana State University New Orleans (now University of New Orleans), and his Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Louis also served as a part-time Sheriff's Deputy in New Orleans and was a Medic in the Army Reserves for six years.

Louis married the love of his life, Jerriann Lacour Levy, on August 4, 1972. They lived in Blacksburg, Virginia before making their home in Hammond, Louisiana, where they raised three children. During this time, he worked as a faculty member in sociology at Southeastern Louisiana University where he helped open the Tangipahoa Parish Crisis Call Center, received the 1982 Teacher Excellence Award from the Alumni Association, and served as Department Head of Sociology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice.

In 1989, he and his family moved to Valdosta, Georgia where he was Professor and Department Head of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice at Valdosta State University. He held numerous administrative roles at Valdosta State, including Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Interim President. From 2002 to 2007, he was the principal investigator on a five-year, 2.9 million dollar grant from the Department of Education focused on statewide teacher recruitment. He also played crucial roles in the opening of the Health Sciences and Business Administration building, the creation of the Doctorate of Education, the development of the Master of Social Work program, and the founding of the Council of Department Heads.

Louis was an active member of the Valdosta community where he served on the Board of Directors for the local United Way and the Council on Aging. He was awarded the Public Citizen of the Year Award by the National Association of Social Workers (South Georgia Chapter), and April 30, 2012 was declared Dr. Louis H. Levy Day in the City of Valdosta.

Louis was a devoted father and grandfather who was quick to make family and friends laugh with a joke. He loved New Orleans jazz music, traveling and experiencing new cultures, watching the New Orleans Saints, grilling out for his family, attending symphony and theater performances, and cheering for all of the Valdosta State University sports teams. Each summer, he enjoyed a family vacation to Navarre Beach, Florida.

Louis was preceded in death by his wife and soul mate Jerriann Lacour Levy, his parents Dr. Louis Levy II and Dorothy Cobb Levy, and his sister, Lynda Levy Thomas. He is survived by his daughters Michelle Levy Russell (Max Stone) and Denise Levy (Daniel Byrd) and son Brian Levy (Erica Meade Levy), brothers Larry Levy (Cheryl Levy) and Leslie Levy and sister Liz Frischhertz (Rob Frischhertz), and grandchildren Gram Russell, Harper Russell, Vance Russell, Eliana Levy, and Ethan Levy. Louis will be forever remembered by his extended family, colleagues from Valdosta State University and beyond, and many dear friends.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Valdosta, Georgia on February 28th at 10:00am with a reception to follow. A celebration of Louis’ life also will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana at a later date.

In remembrance of his life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Valdosta State University Foundation for the Dr. Louis and Mrs. Jerriann Levy Endowed Scholarship, VSU Foundation, 1500 N Patterson St, Valdosta, GA 31698.