Mrs. Barbara Jean Lewis

Barbara Jean Hill Lewis (Barby), age 59, 999 Texas Valley Road, Rome in the Armuchee Community, passed away unexpectedly in an Atlanta hospital Saturday morning following a sudden illness. She was the wife of Dr. Grant Lewis of Rome and served as Director of the Medical Laboratory of the practice on John Dav enport Drive.

Dr. and Mrs. Lewis received their education degrees from Emory University. Grant as a Medical Doctor in Internal Medicine, and Barby a Masters in Medical Technology. After meeting in college, they were married on June 6, 1971 in the Chapel of Emory at Oxford College in Covington, Ga. They began their family in Atlanta where Dr. Lewis performed his residency work at Emory Affiliated Hospitals. He opened a practice in Rome in July of 1977 and Mrs. Lewis has performed medical management duties of the various laboratories connected with his practice.

Mrs. Lewis was born April 25, 1951 in Orlando, Florida, the daughter of the late William and Naomi Murrell. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Eugene Douglas Hill, and her mother-in -law Virginia McCurdy of Cedartown. She is survived by her husband Dr. John Grant Lewis, three children and seven grandchildren. Barby and Grant’s three children are: Rebecca (Becky) Morrow (Jason) of Buford; Dr. Grant Carlton Lewis (Ashley) of Savannah and Stephanie Virginia Lewis Reeder (Brad) of Rome.

Grandchildren include:

Jason Edward, Caleb Grant, and Micah Kenneth Morrow; Peyton Virginia and Lauren Carlisle Lewis; and Braden Thomas and Annalee Lucille Reeder.

She is also survived by two sisters Mrs. Carolyn Szymanski (Tom) of Orlando and Mrs. Annette Nelson (Mike) of Rome, and several nephews.

Barby was attending the birth of the grandson Micah to her daughter Becky at Emory Hospital at Johns Creek in Alpharetta on Thursday morning, July 8th. Moments before the birth, Mrs. Lewis lifetime medical training enabled her to spot a very potentially dangerous condition developing with her daughter. Medical authorities believe that her quick recognition of the depth of the problem and her rapid response for help saved the life of both her daughter and grandson, Micah.

Barby was able to meet and photograph her 7th grandchild and to determine that both mother and son were going to be alright. Following this, in a moment of relaxation in the hospital room, she suffered a massive stroke. Though receiving instant medical attention in the hospital environment within minutes, her condition worsened , and on Saturday morning at 9:35 she passed away.

Barby was a passionate and active sports woman. Her devotion to improving the sporting scene in the Rome and Floyd area, especially as related to children, was well known and noted by her receipt of the Horace Anthony Volunteer of the Year Award for outstanding commitment to parks and recreation services of Floyd County in 1992, and the Public Service Award for Exemplary and Commitment to Leisure Services through the RACE to 1996 Commission. Barby was also among those honored as being chosen to run with and carry the Olympic Torch on its passage through Rome. The development of the George Wallis Tennis Center which catapulted Rome to national attention in the world of tennis was an opportunity for Barby’s leadership to make itself known.

More recently in her own golfing activities she has been recognized for her skill, being named Woman Golfer of the Year at Coosa Country Club. She has brought home awards and trophies from golf tournaments around the state in recent years having been awarded numerous trophies for skills. In the 1990’s Barby served as a member of the Rome/Floyd Recreational Authority. She has been active in Republican political circles, and is a member of Rome First United Methodist Church. In addition to sports, her hobbies have been of great importance to her, including travel, reading, photography, electronics, and of course caring for grandchildren. At the time of her death, she was in Atlanta for the birth of her 7th grandchild. Her medical skills and accomplishments have always been a major part of her life.

A visitation service is planned for Tuesday evening 5:00 to 8:00 pm in the Wilder Center at First United Methodist Church in Rome, and funeral services are scheduled at 10:00 AM Wednesday in the sanctuary of First United Methodist. In lieu of floral arrangements, friends may remember Barby through Harbor House-Northwest Georgia Child Advocacy Center, P.O. Box 5143, Rome, GA 30162 or a favorite charity.

Daniels Funeral Home of Rome is in charge of services for Mrs. Barbara Lewis of Rome.