Gladys Honey L. Lewis

Gladys Ludella Lewis, 87

Gladys Ludella Lewis (affectionately known as “Honey” or “Mother Lewis” to all of her family and friends) went home to the Father October 1, 2011 at her home in San Bernardino, California.

Mother Lewis was born April 12, 1924 in Ripley, California to Jason and Lula Mae Jackson. She was a woman of great faith, courage, generosity and compassion. She devoted her entire life to serving God, her family and others through the ministry of the Gospel with love in her heart and a smile on her face.

As a young girl, Gladys Lewis attended Ripley Elementary and Secondary schools. She grew up on a very large farm that she tended with her 13 brothers and sisters. They had horses, cows, pigs and other livestock. Although she didn’t know it at the time, she was learning many spiritual and life principles as she tilled the soil, fed the chickens and cultivated the cotton---preparing for a bountiful harvest in due season.

Her mother, Eula, posted this poem on the door of their barn to remind them daily of this fact:

“If a task is first begun, never leave it ‘till it’s done.

Be the laborer, great or small.

Do it well, or not at all.”

Mother Lewis’s life fully exemplified this saying. She was strong woman of character, conviction and courage who believed in working hard, working smart and doing it with excellence.

Mother Lewis was an adventurer at heart. Although she appreciated the provision and shelter the large family farm provided, work in the field was very strenuous. It was not particularly something she wanted to do for the rest of her life.

With the help of one of her sisters, stowed away in a covered box, she ran away from home when she was 17 years old. Mother Lewis loved working with her hands. She could not be confined very long to a classroom.

Her first official “jobs” away from the farm were at Wholstrom washing dishes and a factory processing Turkeys. She saved her money until she was able to buy a Chevy that cranked with a key.

Throughout her life, her highest endeavor was to do the work of Jesus Christ through evangelism, worship and faithful service to others in word and deed. She was a member of the Church of God in Christ (C.O.G.I.C) for many years before actively participating in largely inter-denominational congregations.

Mother Lewis was an ordained minister, homemaker, caregiver, domestic engineer, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was a mentor to many and a faithful servant in the house of the Lord.

She married her late husband of 52 years on New Year’s Day, 1950. They relocated to Los Angeles, California from Blythe, Arizona and lived there for 5 years. Elder Bowens was her first pastor who lived in Blythe. During that time she served in Pastor Rucker’s church under Bishop Crouch. Mother Lewis enjoyed going to many convocations and served faithfully in many churches throughout her ministry.

She moved, with her husband, to San Bernardino, California in 1960. It was at that time that she became a member of New Hope Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Pastor Lenton Lenoir, serving the congregation for many years. During the infant stages of her ministry, she was awarded an Evangelist license at New Hope.

Mother Lewis attended revival meetings on a regular basis and at one such meeting, met her lifetime pastor, mentor and devoted friend, Bishop Pastor Portee of Southside Christian Palace. For many years Mother Lewis commuted from San Bernardino to Los Angeles to attend services with his congregation as well. Under his leadership, she took her life and ministry to another level in the Lord.

On January 6, 1971, she received her Certificate of Appointment as District Missionary through the C.O.G.I.C community under the leadership of State Supervisor, Mother L.O. Hale and State Bishop S.M. Crouch.

She was awarded her second Certificate of Appointment as District Missionary from the COGIC community under the leadership of State Supervisor, Odella M. Fizer and State Bishop E.E. Cleveland Sr. one year later.

Mother Lewis was received her Certificate of Ordination, as an Ordained Minister of the Gospel from Bethesda Deliverance Temple (Full Gospel Corporation) in San Bernardino, CA under the direction of Bishop Satchewhite on September 24, 2000. She was also awarded a plaque from Bishop Satchewhite and the United Pentecostal Holy Church for her dedication and service to the community.

Although Mother Lewis was formally a lifetime member of Southside Christian Palace, she was under the “Watch Care” of the New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ with Pastor J.L. Malone where she attended Sunday school and meetings with her “Prayer Warrior” partner, Missionary Gaines.

“Honey” (as she was referred to by family and close friends) placed a very high value on the family and relationships. She poured her heart into each and every one of her children and relatives in a very special and unique way. She was someone you could talk to about anything and experience an overflow of grace and love. After one of her “talks,” it was typical to leave her presence refreshed, renewed, healed, revived and full of hope with a new take on life.

Her pomegranate and apricot preserves; sweet potato and lemon meringue pies; peach cobbler; and special brand of collard greens were some of her most cherished specialty dishes.

She personally took care of her older sister (who had Alzheimer’s), the late Nora Griggs, for 7 years before she passed on.

Mother Lewis was a spiritual pillar for her family, friends and those she served. “Honey” was always someone you could rely on to speak the truth in love (no matter how tough) and share spiritual wisdom gleaned from years of experience walking in the way of Christ.

Her hobbies included fishing, cooking, photography, gardening, singing, arts and crafts. Her handmade ceramic art pieces, dolls, corsages and custom made handkerchiefs were elegant, creative and exclusive.

She especially enjoyed taking care of her bountiful fruit trees (7 different varieties) and the stray cats that would always meet her on the back porch for their daily bread.

The seed that Mother “Honey” Lewis planted in the lives of those she loved so dearly has given birth to a generation of fruitful, productive and fulfilled men, women and children in this life and in the realm of the Spirit. Her example of love and faith will continue to leave a powerful legacy now and in many years to come.

Gladys Ludella Lewis had 13 siblings, 5 children, 18 + grandchildren, 20 + great-grandchildren and 3 + great-great-grandchildren. She is survived by her brothers, sisters and their spouses, Lucille Robinson, Willie Mae Todd-Buchanan, George Jackson and Laura Washington; her children and their spouses, Maderal and Cozetta Hilburn, Barbara Ann and Richard Thompson, Brenda Julia Carrie Bolden, Ron and Katherine Lewis; her grandchildren and their spouses, Andrew and Mary Hall, Vegas and Sabina Vanley, Antoinette Bradley, Jeffrey Bradley, Aisha Ann Bolden, Dr. Heiner and Natascha Camille Bolden-Neuling, William Earl Bolden, Darrell Lee Bolden, Ronnell Travon Bolden, Chauntae Lewis, Tyniah Lewis, LaRon Lewis, Amalia Hilburn, Shannon, Maderal Hilburn Jr. and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Newton Lewis; son Newton Lewis, Jr.; son in-law William Earl Bolden, Sr.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at Montecito Mortuary in the Valley View Chapel. Burial will follow at Montecito Memorial Park with a Repass at Greater New Jerusalem Church of God In Christ in San Bernardino.