August 25, 1941 – October 16, 2024

Mildred L. Lewis, née Williamson, was born in Mason, Tennessee, on August 25, 1941. The only child of Myrtle (Parker) and George Williamson, she grew up in a hard-working and loving home.

She attended Gailor High School, graduating as a salutatorian. She then enrolled at Owen Jr. College (now LeMoyne-Owen College) in Memphis, Tennessee, followed by Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee, where she earned a BA in Education. After graduating, she moved back home to teach Elementary School. She married Samuel J. Lewis on July 25, 1964. They had their only child, Samuel J. Lewis, II, on September 23, 1969.

After separating from her husband, she and her young son moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1972, where two of her uncles (Arvell and John Parker), their families (Dovie, Mattie, Sheila, Rita, John Arthur, Charlene) and many beloved cousins lived. She returned to school at Harris Teachers College (now Harris-Stowe State College) to get certified to teach in Missouri while working at Gateway National Bank on Union Boulevard, the first and only Black-owned commercial bank in Missouri.

She received her Missouri Teacher’s Certificate for Elementary Education in 1976. In total, Mildred taught for over 40 years in Tennessee and Missouri. She proudly received an Apple for the Teacher Award in the 80s. Her specialty was Fifth Grade, where her love for a well-decorated bulletin board was only surpassed by a dedicated love for her students and fellow faculty.

She was raised in the Church at Canaan Grove Baptist Church in Mason, Tennessee, and developed a strong and lasting faith in God. Once married, she converted to the Episcopal faith, attending St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Mason. After moving to St. Louis, she became a member of All Saints Episcopal Church, then All Saints and Ascension for 50 years, where she was a proud member of St. Margaret’s Guild.

A true servant of God, Mildred was always there to help others by providing caregiver support to her aunt Florida Dickerson, two fellow Church members, and others. She also supported her community by being active in local politics and getting out into her Kingsway neighborhood to organize clean-up efforts to keep her community beautiful. She even provided temporary housing to a couple of her son’s friends when they needed a safe space.

She truly followed Jesus’ example. One of her favorite quotes was by James M. Barrie, “Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.”

God called Mildred home on October 16, 2024; she was 83. Mildred was preceded in death by her mother, father, husband, and a host of uncles, aunts, and cousins. She is survived by her son, Samuel (Erin Maxen), and three grandchildren, Sawyer, Noah, and Parker. She is also survived by her aunt Archie (Parker) Fayne and a host of cousins and cherished friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 23, at the Episcopal Church of All Saints and Ascension, at 4520 Lucas and Hunt Rd., St. Louis, MO 63121. There will be a 10 AM Visitation and 11 AM Service.

To attend the Memorial Service via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85181726758?pwd=5wpT8xDniomOODu073dvqJq2RX58zA.1

Repast information:
Immediately after service

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
33 N. Clay Ave.
Ferguson, MO 63135