Eunice Maxine Lewis

Eunice Maxine (Willis) Lewis went home to be with the Lord on January 27, 2011. She was born May 19, 1921 in Jimtown, Oklahoma, the oldest of four children to Jess Edward Willis and Lucy Bell (Reeves). Sister, Zona Gannon, brother, Jess Edward (Korean War) and her parents preceded her in death. She is survived by sister, Billie Marie (Plaskett) Boucher from Port Richey, Florida. Maxine graduated from Ponca City High School in Oklahoma. She then attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, class of 1944, serving as vice president of her class. Maxine met Richard Prescott Lewis while at Moody. They married February 23, 1945 and nine children were born of their union: John (Margaret), Paul (Linda), Mary Walton (Robert), Richard (Valerie), Eunice Smith (Edward), Stephen (Marcy), Ruth Pendergrass (Timothy), Beth Hughes (Mark) and James (Lauryn). Richard and Maxine served as home missionary pastors with Oak Hills Fellowship in Minnesota, then served in the Adirondack Mts. of New York and then 20 years in Vermont. Her husband, Richard, was one of the founders of the Bible Institute of New England. Maxine served faithfully with him in the ministry. As Richard's health declined, they relocated to Deland, Florida in 1973. He then preceded her in death on February 4, 1988. Since 1992, Maxine has made her home in Gilbert, AZ with daughter, Eunice Smith and family. She has 29 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren. Donations can be made to Wells Fargo Bank in the name of "Eunice M. Lewis Benefit Memorial Fund" to continue her support of two children from Guatemala that she has supported for years through World Vision. A visitation for Eunice will be held on Thursday, February 3 from 7-9 PM at Melcher Chapel of the Roses, 43 S Stapley Dr, Mesa, AZ, (480)964-4537. A funeral service honoring Eunice will take place Friday February 4, at 10:00 AM at Wonderful Mercy Church, 1351 E Guadalupe Rd, Gilbert, AZ. Arrangements have been entrusted to Melcher Mortuary Chapel of the Roses, www.melcherchapelofroses.com.