Dr. Donald Ray Lewis

Don was born in 1935 in Camden, Arkansas to Carl and Eddith Lewis. He completed Camden High School in 1953 and went on graduate from the University of Arkansas undergraduate and Medical Schools, where he met the love of his life Patricia (Patty) Pyeatt. The two were married in 1959 - an event he considered the most important in his life. During his residency in Little Rock, Arkansas, Don and Patty had their two children Leslie and Matthew. In 1966, after completing his residency program, Don moved the family to Jackson, Tennessee, and joined the Women’s Clinic OB/GYN practice. He would go on to serve the Clinic, helping shepherd it through two new building moves and strong growth, until his retirement in 2001.

During his time in Jackson, Don was Chief of Staff of Jackson Madison County General Hospital, a Founding Member of the Episcopal Day School, Co-Founder of Jackson Choral Society, and a Member of the Forked Deer River Coon Club, among many other activities and achievements. He and Patty were dedicated members of First Presbyterian church where Don served as Deacon, Elder and, his favorite, member of the choir.

Having practiced medicine for 35 years in Jackson, it was not uncommon for Don to run into a woman he helped or a baby he delivered almost everywhere he went. Whether dodging a minor traffic infraction because he delivered the patrolman’s child, or interrupting a shopping trip because he treated the checkout lady, or getting full service at a gas station long after that tradition had past because he delivered the owner’s grandchild — it seemed like everyone knew Dr. Lewis. In every case, he greeted every person’s story with grace, humility, and an assurance that he did remember that baby, or that patient. He helped and will be missed by many throughout the greater Jackson area.

After retirement, Don devoted himself to an active volunteer role with West Tennessee Home Hospice Care, and The Donald R. Lewis Fund for Women’s Health. In his later years, his favorite morning activity was coffee in his cottage with his daughter before heading to The Lift to workout with his friends.

Don was pre-deceased by his father Carl, mother Eddith, brother James, and his beloved wife Patty. He is survived by his daughter Leslie Granberry (Marc), son Matthew Lewis (Leah), grandchildren Eden Feducia (A.J.), Whitney Brzozowski (Jake), Foster Lewis (Vanda) and Dr. Francesca Granberry (Olivia), great grandchildren Georgia Feducia and Galina Lewis, and niece Susan Canavan of Massachusetts and nephew Dr. Jimmy Lewis of Arizona.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Sunday February 22nd at 2 p.m. preceded by visitation next to the sanctuary at Memorial Hall beginning at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Donald R. Lewis Fund for Women’s Health through the West Tennessee Health Care