Louise loved me when it felt that no one else did.” A family friend recently shared this statement as a testimony to the love Louise Lewis shared with everyone who was near her. It’s also a beautiful way to reflect back on Louise’s life. She created a home and environment that met more than just the needs of her family, but lifted them up. She made room—physically and emotionally—for anyone who needed a family on a given day. She was resourceful and had a meal available for anyone willing to squeeze around the family’s little kitchen table.Louise grew up on a farm and it instilled in her a love of the outdoors, a sense of adventure, and at times, fearlessness. She loved being in or on the water and spent any summer weekend that she could on a lake or river. As the wife of a pastor, she was equally committed to their church community, and ministered in her own special way, reinforcing her husband Jim’s work. Her faith was lifelong and intrinsic to who she was. She was a Christian woman who demonstrated her faith in the life that she lived. She was a Sunday school teacher and enjoyed a theological debate as much as her morning devotional.Enthusiastically involved in all of her children’s and grandchildren’s activities, she was a tireless supporter of their interests in drama, choir, track, basketball and more. Louise joked about the number of ways she helped raise funds for various school activities, once saying that she “had made so many funnel cakes—I got sick at the smell of them even years later!”Louise became the caretaker for first her mother and later her aunt, having created a place in her and Jim’s home where they could live with care but independence.Louise and Jim retired to Texas not to chase a life of relaxation or solitude but to be near and deeply involved in the lives of their grandkids. Together they continued their love of being near and host to their family and friends. Keeping her family together and strong was always her drive.Louise Lewis (née Smith) went to be with her Savior Jesus Christ, after battling Alzheimer’s, on January 12, 2018 at Ashton Medical Lodge in Midland, TX at the age of 79.Louise is survived by her husband James, her children Lareciea and her husband Tim Ford of Fort Worth, TX, Weslie and his wife Cindy Lewis of Midland, TX, Mark Lewis of Saint Paul, MN; grandchildren Skyler Ford and his wife Whitney Ford, Katie and her husband Drew Fritsch, Mariah and her husband Matt Piefer, Courtney and her husband Sam Rose, Kristen Lewis; and great-grandchildren Kennedy Fritsch and Claire Ford. She is preceded in death by her parents Recie Smith and Mae Lovan Smith.Louise was born on October 21, 1938 in West Plains, Missouri as the only child to Recie and Mae Smith. She graduated from West Plains High School in 1956 and attended Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri. Louise married James Lewis, whom she met at church, in 1959.A memorial service was held Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at the Chapel of First Baptist Church in Midland, TX officiated by Dr. Darin Wood. The family would like to thank the staff of Ashton Medical Lodge for their gracious care through to the end.Arrangements were under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.,
