Becky Lewis

Mary Rebecca Lewis Sunise-January 11, 1933 Sunset- June 24, 2021 Peacefully, calmly and sweetly she left us to join those who have preceded her..….she was taken from our arms to the arms of the Lord and for this we rejoice! Now she awaits patiently “at the gates of heaven” to greet each one of us as we join her in eternity. Becky was gracious, charming and possessed a countenance filled with kindness that was rare and genuine, but as with any true southern woman, her spine was made of steel. She was a prayer warrior who believed in the Lord wholeheartedly without question or doubt. Her husband, JC, was her true soul mate. They were married 67 years of the 70 they were together. Her four children, Jack, Laura, Tacy and Constance, could always count on her loving wisdom through life’s joys and sorrows. It’s not surprising that she became a wonderful Grammy to Christen, Taylor, MaryConnor, Wyatt and Katie providing the greatest gift of all, her undivided attention. She would tell you that her great grandsons, Charlie and Lewis, are the smartest, funniest, cutest and most amazing ever….you only had to ask. Becky grew up in Bedford, Virginia the oldest daughter of Melvin and Fleta Wood with her sisters Peggy and Barbara. Her family instilled in her a strong sense of love, faith and the importance of community. It was a hard era, the Great Depression through World War II, but her parents made sure Becky continued her education. She went to Lynchburg, VA to become a nurse. Studying at Virginia Baptist Hospital to become a Registered Nurse. She kept her license active, well into her 70’s, as she would say “one never knows what you might need.” She inspired many others to follow down the RN path and proudly pinned her granddaughter, MaryConnor, just a few years ago. Becky met her “dashing JC” when they were set up on a blind date. Three years later she was Mrs. John Calvin Lewis III. JC graduated from Virginia Tech, joining the Air Force beginning their life-long adventure. Throughout the service years, they lived from coast to coast exploring each region having children along the way. JC and Becky were eventually stationed in Tampa and found their paradise across the bay in St. Petersburg. Her history is deep and interesting. We will miss our Becky, she was a wife a mother, a grandmother, a sister, an aunt and a friend to many. She was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin Robert Wood and Fleta Cundiff Wood; her sisters, Hazel Roberta Wood and Peggy Wood Leffel; her son, John Calvin Lewis IV “Jack” and her granddaughter Christen Morgan Nilan. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, John Calvin Lewis III and their three daughters, Laura Lewis Skinner (Phil) of Atlanta, Tacy Rebecca McGinty of Ponte Vedra and Constance Anne Thompson (Todd) of Atlanta. She is also survived by her 4 grandchildren; Taylor Lewis Nilan (Lauren) of Charleston, Katie McGrew Beasley (Alex) of Atlanta, MaryConnor Tacy Thompson and Wyatt Lewis Thompson of Atlanta. She is also survived by her 2 great grandsons Charles Wesley Beasley and Lewis Frank Nilan. She is also survived by her sister Barbara Lam Helms of Roanoke and her loving nieces Cindy Higgins (David) of Blue Ridge, Mary Boardwine (Roger) of Blue Ridge and Kelly Ward (Rob) of Roanoke along with her nephew Scott Leffel (Amanda) of Roanoke A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at 2pm at Anderson McQueen Funeral Home- 2201 Dr. ML King Jr. Street North, St. Petersburg. Memorial contributions can be made to Grateful Hearts Ministries 1266 West Paces Ferry Rd NW Suite 430 Atlanta, Ga 30327 or online at www.gratefulheartsministries.org/