Laura Lewis

Laura Bentley Austin Lewis, age 97, was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She departed this life at home on Saturday, June 18, 2022, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Laura was born in Autaugaville, Alabama to Lela Washington Bentley and Henry Bentley on October 25, 1924. As the adored baby of the family and only girl, she was was affectionately called Baye by her family and friends. Upon moving from Alabama to Indianapolis as a prospective eight grader, she fought desperately to be in the same school with her older brothers and was granted permission to enter ninth grade at Crispus Attucks High School a year early, where she graduated in 1942. She was an active member of Crispus Attucks Alumni until her death. Laura accepted Christ at the age of 13 and was baptized in the Baptist Church. She was a charter member of Pleasant Union Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis, where she attended most of her life. She married Ernest (Yank) Austin in 1944, and together they had two children, Derek and Donna. Ernest passed away in 1969 and in 1977 she married Levi Lewis until his passing in 1999. To that union she acquired four stepsons, Levi Jr, Cleveland, Bertram, Everett, and Timothy Lewis. Laura retired from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. She was always active in politics, was a member of the Democratic Committee and served as a democratic committee person and vice ward chairperson. She also worked along her husband Levi with the UAW Cap Council. She was an active member of her neighborhood association. She belonged to the Buford Hope’s Nursing Home Group that visited nursing homes throughout the city. Laura enjoyed family! She was always eager to attend family gatherings, reunions, holidays, and special events. If one asked, she would come. She especially enjoyed attending plays, musicals, sports events, gatherings and celebrations with her family and friends. She was a people person and thrived on lively and grand conversations. Laura was preceded in death by her husband, Levi Lewis; her parents, Lela Bentley Stewart and Henry Bentley; her brother William A. Bentley; and her stepsons, Levi Jr. and Timothy Lewis. Laura leaves to cherish her memory her son Derek Ernest Austin (Girlfriend, April Sutton); daughter Donna Marie Austin McFadden (Scott); stepsons, Rev. Cleveland Lewis (Betty), Rev. Bertram Lewis (Cheryl), and Everett Noel Lewis (Deborah); brother, Charles E. Bentley; grandson Austin-Ian Light; and a host of step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Services will be held at Pleasant Union Missionary Baptist Church, 1202 Eugene Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208, Saturday, July 2, 2022. Visitation 10 AM. Funeral 12 Noon. Interment, Crown Hill Cemetery.