Laura Bell Sauls- Lewis was born December 3, 1941 in Wayne County to the late Deacon Columbus Lewis and Mother Clara Lewis. She departed this earthly life on May 16, 2019 in Goldsboro, NC. She was preceded in death by her husband James Lewis, sisters: Minnie Lewis- Parker, Clara Harris, stepmother, Minster Glady J. Lewis and granddaughter Jasmine Carter.
Laura was educated in Wayne County Public School system and received her high school diploma from Norwayne Training School, Fremont NC in 1960. She also attended The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wayne Community College, Goldsboro, NC and Nash Technical Institute, Rocky Mount, NC, successfully completing all Detention Officer prerequisites. Laura began to serve her government dutifully with a kind and gentle hand.
She would become known and loved by many in the community as a Detention Officer working for the Sheriff’s Department of Wayne County. Laura’s work often extended into the community as many would stop by her residence to inquire or relay information about their family member that happened to be held at the detention center. Laura retired from Wayne County Detention Center with 25 years of service as the senior Detention Officer.
She received numerous accolades for her community service. She accepted Christ into her life and joined Saints Delight United Holy Church where she faithfully attended until her health began to decline. Laura will be remembered most for her unselfish giving nature, her humorous spirit and most of all, her humbleness.
Everyone she touched found her to be kind, sincere and above all trustworthy. In Laura’s first marriage to the late Junius Sauls three children were born. They became the best of friends in life.
As years past, Laura later united in marriage to the late James Lewis. They were blessed to have a blended family as the only important thing to their children was their love, devotion and happiness as they grew together. No one could have asked for a more loving and supportive family.
Laura leaves to cherish her memories; seven children, Eric Sauls of Dumfries, VA – La Tanya Sauls, Lashaunda (Jason) Carter of Pikeville, NC; Reginald (Angela) Sauls of Greenville, NC; Edna Reid of Fremont, NC; Jimmy (Brenda) Lewis of Goldsboro, NC; Steve (Shelia) Lewis and Gregory (Beyanka) Lewis of Pikeville, NC. Three sisters, Tempie Thompson and Winnie Fuller, both of Goldsboro, NC, Thelma (Eugene) Yelverton of Pikeville, NC; one brother, James (Wanda) Lewis of Goldsboro, NC; Two brothers-in-law, Jerry Parker of St. Albans, NY and James Harris of Goldsboro, NC. Three sisters-in-law, Madie (Walter) Hite of Goldsboro, Dorothy (Howard) Artis of Fremont and Ollie (Bayron) Reid of Goldsboro, NC; Five brothers-in-law, William (Marian) Lewis of New Jersey, Henry (Luretha) Lewis of Goldsboro, Alvester (Herlene) Lewis of Fremont, Cleveland (Jacqueline) Lewis of Raleigh and Leroy (Peggy) Lewis of Charlotte.
Fourteen grandchildren, Courtney, Ashley, Tori, Eric, Jay, Amelia, Zion, Janae, Jennelle, Ronnesha (Rashad), Korie, Jalisa, Cierra and Mariya; seven great- grandchildren: Jada, Cali, Cameron, Haelyn, Giselle, Rashad Jr. and Brayden. Laura helped raise the six kids of her late sister-in-law Jean Sauls-Reid: Ray Reid of Goldsboro, NC; Harold (Frances) Reid of Portsmouth, VA; Sandra Winn of Goldsboro, NC; Angela Parks of LaGrange, NC; Maxine Patrick of Goldsboro, NC; Franklin (Theresa) Reid of Jacksonville, FL and the late Ronnie Reid. Laura leaves a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and devoted friends and close friend Dorothy Jones.
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