Gerthie Geter Lewis

Gerthie Geter Lewis (a/k/a Momma, Granny, or Lewisie) passed away peacefully Monday morning, January 29, 2018 at Heritage Manor Stratmore, Shreveport, LA. Granny had been a resident there for several years and loved all those who cared for her (even though she would try to give them a hard time)! She tried to hide her Alzheimer’s with humor, even from the early onset of the disease. Her white hair, beautiful skin and great smile were the things that folks noticed most, but it was her determination, helpful nature and, before she became ill, willingness to care for others, that reflected her character. She had a sweet nature and loving presence.

Gerthie Geraldine Geter was born in Fisher, LA, on June 30, 1926; graduated from Provencal High School in Provencal, LA in 1941; attended a year of nursing school at Centenary College in Shreveport, LA; met the love of her life, Corbert David Lewis, and they were married on August 2, 1945 in Many, LA. Gerthie and Corbert served faithfully at Grawood Baptist Church in Keithville, LA for many years. Corbert passed away April 22, 2006 and Gerthie longed for him every day since. There is rejoicing and a great reunion in heaven now. Corbert, David, Kohl and other loved ones met her there after precious Jesus opened his loving arms and healed her mind and body. She is complete again!

Gerthie earned the nickname “Granny” when her first granddaughter was born. Granny was employed by Western Electric/AT&T/Avaya and all of her co-workers and supervisors called her Granny, and the name just “stuck” with her. She retired from AT&T in 1991. Her “adopted” grandchildren preferred to call her Lewisie and that name “fit” Granny, too. Her love of crocheting was a perfect fit for her creativeness; she loved flower arranging; gardening and working in her flower beds. And she was a fantastic cook.

Her love of Jesus, her family and her friends were priorities. Not only did she have two biological children, Gloria and David, but she claimed Gloria and William Leach and Crystal and Charles Whitaker as her “other” kids, along with their children. Granny had two granddaughters, Tammi Boswell and Rachel McKinney, and a grandson, Ryan Norris. She also had one great granddaughter, Rebecca Johnson, the mother of her great, great granddaughter, Julia Grace Collins.

Gerthie was predeceased by her husband, Corbert David (C.D.) Lewis, Sr., son Corbert David (David) Lewis, Jr. and great grandson, Kohl Douglas Johnson, her parents, O.B. and Angie Murray Geter, and all of her siblings, Othene (Margie) Geter, Loretta Strahan and Waymon Geter, and infant sister Myrtis. Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Gloria McKinney, and above-named grandchildren, and sisters-in-law Betty (Waymon) Geter, Mary Loretta (Max) Harris, Amanda Louetta (Boyce) Pearson, and Carolyn (Bill) Lewis. She also is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation with the family will begin at 1:00 p.m. and the funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 2, 2018 at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, LA, with interment immediately following.

Pallbearers will be Bo Pearson, Bubba Gilcrease, Glynn Leach, Mike Hughes, Jimbo Johnston, Robert Hall, Ryan Norris and John Hughes. Honorary Pallbearers will be Doug Ayers, Eli McDaniel, Gary Geter, Levi McDaniel, Tim Eddington, and William Leach.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in her honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or Bellwood Cemetery Association, P. O. Box 258, Provencal, LA 71468.