Frank Raymond Lewis Jr. peacefully joined his heavenly Father on Sept. 26, 2019, at the age of 97, after a long and blessed life.
He was the son of Frank Raymond and Clemmie Forrest Lewis Sr. of Hudgins, Mathews, Virginia, where he grew up surrounded by family and enjoyed many hours of his youth on the land and water surrounding Hills Bay. He was proud to be a member of the first graduating class of Mathews High School in 1940.
After school, he worked at odd jobs in Norfolk, Virginia, and joined the Merchant Marine, like many Mathews men, following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. After World War II, Raymond first worked at Cheatham Annex, where he rekindled a high school friendship with Mary Belle Jones, who became his wife in 1948 and pre-deceased him in 2017. The couple moved to Gloucester in 1951, where they lived for the rest of their lives and raised their daughters.
He retired from Fort Eustis in 1973. Later, he worked as an independent contractor and shop teacher at Mathews High School.
Raymond was a member of Botetourt Masonic Lodge #7 in Gloucester and was Master in 1960. Early in life he was a member of Mathews Baptist Church and, after moving to Gloucester, raised his family at Newington Baptist Church. Through the years he was a Sunday school teacher, deacon, and Training Union director there. Later, he joined Petsworth Baptist Church.
He leaves behind daughters, Susan Dutton (Tommy) of Gloucester and Sara Lewis (Ken Schmidt) of Williamsburg; grandchildren, Jesse Dutton (Amy Daniel) and Mark Dutton (Leigh Ann); Elizabeth Flanary Hogge (Daniel), and Lewis Flanary; his step-grandchildren, Matthew (Liz) and Thomas (Anna) Schmidt; great-grandchildren, Jackson, Emerson, Samuel, Timothy and Cary Dutton; Bryce and Brooke Hogge, and Charlotte and Hugo Schmidt.
The family held visitation at 2 p.m., prior to services at 3 o’clock, on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, at Petsworth Baptist Church. Masonic rites followed at H.C. Smithers Cemetery in Mathews.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Petsworth Baptist Church, 2471 Hickory Fork Road, Gloucester, Va. 23061.
The family wishes to thank his loving caregivers, Carolyn Gibbs, Cherry Stone, Wende Roberts, Pat King, Monessa Flowers and Gloucester House.
Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory was in charge of arrangements.