Connie Lewis

Connie Herman Lewis was born May 13, 1928, the fourth of fourteen children, to Ward Lewis Sr. and Velma Bryant Lewis in Newbern Alabama. He departed this life April 4th, 2019. From childhood he was raised in Shiloh Methodist Church. Connie attended Newbern Grammar School and Parker High School in Birmingham Alabama. He went on to attend Tuscaloosa Institute. In 1950 he was inducted into the US Army and served in the Korean war. Following his service to his country he made his home in New York City.
He was employed as a taxi cab driver and a US Postal Worker. In 1969 he began working for New York City Mass Transit Authority. In 1961 he met and married Pearlina Powell, together they shared a son William Powell. Connie accepted Christ and was a proud member of Massapequa Tabernacle of Praise. He graduated from Bethel Bible Institute School of Evangelism. After his 1989 retirement from NYCMTA he relocated to Pennsylvania. With the lost of his wife Pearlina he ventured to upstate New York. Everyday Connie set out through his community with the intent to brighten someone’s day, from the grocery store, the post office, coffee shop, doctor’s office to the bank, he brought joy to the hearts and smiles to the faces of others. “Well Hello there” “How are you this bright sun shinny day”. He lived by the moto he shared with his grandchildren “God loved us so we must love everybody”. He was an avid sports fan with a great sense of humor. He cherished his family, friends and neighbor Tom and Dawn, and his companion Trudy. Most of all his independence. He enjoyed good preaching and the fellowship he found attending Caltab Church. He was an exceptional Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle and friend.
He was proceeded in death by his wife Pearlina Lewis, his parents, siblings Uvilla, Vera Bell Grant, Cloe Ann Dixon, Louvenia Renshaw, Reverend Silas Lewis and Ward Lewis Jr.
He is survived by his son Apostle William Powell(Pastor Barbara) Sanford, NC, Grandchildren Min. Cledes Joshua Powell(Rebecca), Jabez Emmanuel Powell (Domonique) of Greensboro, NC, and Angelica Powell of Cary NC. Great grandchildren: Nigel Minter Ford, Jeremiah Powell, Amaya Fulton, Charlie Powell, Trinity Hooker, and Caleb Powell. Brothers: Benjamin Franklin Sr. (Ocie) MO, John Bryant Lewis Sr. (Mary), OH, Douglas Mac Authur (Annie) IL, Sisters: Ester Mae Green Lee (Donald) OH, Thomasina Worth (Robert) MO, Velma Mae, AL, special friends Tom and Dawn, and companion Trudy. A host of Nieces, Nephews, cousins and friends.