Obituary for Mr. Joseph John Lewis III Joseph John Lewis, III Obituary It is with broken hearts that we announce the death of a beloved husband, father, grandfather; Joseph John Lewis, III (Jivey Joe) whom many admired and respected passed away on June 7, 2018 at his residence in Opelousas. Joseph was born on January 1, 1940. He wore many hats.
Joseph was raised on the family farm and work was something he never shied away from. He attended J. S. Clark High School and later joined his older brother George to work at a fish plant in Texas. From there, he joined Union 692 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and worked as a laborer.
He then started working on pipelines until he retired and along with his wife Dolly became successful business owners providing affordable housing within the community. He was a devoted member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church where he attended mass. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, June 16, 2018 at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Opelousas, LA.
Visiting hours will be observed from 8:00 AM to 10:45 AM Saturday, June 16, 2018 at Williams Funeral Home. Interment will be in Bellevue Memorial Park. Mr. Lewis, was known by many as Joseph, Joe Lewis, Jivey Joe or the nickname Bay that his parents gave him and he answered to all.
Joseph marred the love of his life Dolly Mae Birotte, they are the parents of lovely children; Danielle Marie Lewis Castain and Victor Paul Lewis. Joseph and Dolly worked freely as community servants and politicked for the candidates whom they thought would better serve their country, state or local community. Joseph was an ambassador for the National Federation of the Blind for over twenty-five years.
His work as an advocate for the blind included many travels to places like Washington D.C where as a Delegate he earned the Jerry Hemphill Award. During Jerry Hemphill’s lifetime, he promoted Braille and Joseph lobbied in places like D.C., to bring Braille into schools as well. He was also President of the Magnificent 7 Social and Civic Club which main mission was to unite the community through public awareness on social services, celebrating children through parents and hosting two free Balls a year where several hundred people were in attendance.
Joe loved spending time with his family and traveling. His hobbies were attending horse racing with friends, tailgating while attending the New Orleans Saints football games with his son, watching western movies, and sports. He leaves to mourn his wife of 57 years Dolly Lewis; one daughter, Danielle Lewis Castain and husband, Joseph (J.C.) Castain; one son, Victor (VPL) Lewis and wife, Tiffanie Griffin Lewis; five grandchildren, Joseph Soban Castain, III and wife, Elecia of Katy, TX, Alexandra Castain Patel and husband, Kunal of Arlington, TX, Jazmond Castain of Houston, TX, Kyra Lewis and Zion Lewis both of Opelousas, LA.
He also has two great grandchildren, Ava and Zoey Castain. Joseph has three brothers, Lawrence Lewis (Pumpkin) and wife, Linda (Sac), Rodney Lewis (Black) and wife, Priscilla, Jimmy Lewis and wife, Helen all of Opelousas, LA. His five sisters are Elizabeth Jones of Lake Charles, LA, Gloria Carroll of New Port News, VA, Willie Mae Hughey and husband, William of Marshall, TX, Mary Chachere and husband, Russell and Jeanette Chachere and husband, Glenn all of Houston, TX.
He also leaves to mourn, his sister-in-law, Ruby Lewis of Lake Charles, LA and Barbara Lewis of Opelousas, LA; two Goddaughters, Terry Gauthier and Peggy Noel; devoted longtime friends, Robert Lee Davis and Gerald Hardy (Poochie) and many special nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph John Lewis, Jr. and mother, Mary Lou King Lewis; four brothers, Paul, George, Johnny and Dennis Lewis; his grandparents, aunts, uncles and four nephews, Michael, Patrick (Pa Pat), Michael Todd Lewis (Toddy) and a niece, Rhonda Lewis Taylor; a brother-in-law, James Carroll; sisters-in-law, Willie Vie Lewis and Grace Lewis. Share words of comfort with the Lewis family at www.
williamsfuneralhomes.net Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Williams Funeral Home of Opelousas, 337-942-2037. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mr. Joseph John Lewis III please visit our Sympathy Store.
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