Rosa Lee Mallory Lewis
11/24/1928 – 09/26/2021
Obituary for Rosa Lee Mallory Lewis
Rosa Lee Mallory Lewis was born on November 24, 1928, the second of nine children of the late Louis Mallory Sr., and Caroline Long Mallory. She was born and educated in Talladega County, Alabama, graduating from Phyllis Wheatley High School in Childersburg. She accepted Jesus as her savior as a child, and united with Mt. Zion C.M.E. Church in Alpine.
Rosa Lee, known to her family and close friends as “Boots,” moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, after graduating high school, where she attended and graduated from Knoxville College in 1953. While in Knoxville, she united with Bethel A.M.E. Church, where she remained a faithful member throughout her life. She served as a Deaconess and as a member of Usher Board No. 1. She taught youth Sunday School classes and was an eager student in both Sunday School and Bible Study. She loved poetry and reading, and was a long-time member of the Church’s Holding Our Place book club. She served her church cheerfully, and it was her desire to live in such a way that young ladies in the church would want to model their lives after hers.
In the community, she was a member of the Garden Club, and was “Queen” of the Onyx RedHatters, holding the name Countess Rose. She was also an avid walker, walking daily as long as she could with her beloved cousin LaTanya Terrell-Upton.
In 1955, Rosa was united in matrimony with Charles Lewis, and together they had six children, teaching all of them to trust in God, and to live by The Golden Rule; always treat others as you would want others to treat you. She was a faithful wife, resolute mother, and a doting grandmother to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was “Grandmother” until her first granddaughter, Alicia began to talk, and then she became “Nana,” a name and role she cherished.
A diligent worker all her life, Rosa was a stay-at-home parent while her children were young, and then worked outside the home after her children were older. She was never comfortable in retirement, so she returned to work as a Foster Grandparent with the Knox County School System for almost 20 years until she was 90 years of age.
Rosa loved cooking and seeing her family and visitors to her home enjoy large meals, especially her peach cobbler. One of her nephews once commented to a couple visiting her home for the first time, “…if you ever leave my auntie’s home hungry, it is your own fault.” She loved family picnics on holidays, and her home was often the gathering place for these family events. She also loved being with family at the annual Mallory-Stamps family reunion, missing only one reunion between 1977 and the most recent reunion in 2019.
In the early evening of Sunday, September 26, God quietly called Rosa Lee home, where she joined the Hosts of Heaven, including her parents, Louis and Caroline Long Mallory; siblings George, Louis Jr., William, Clifton, Janie Mae, Ruth, Charles, and Harrison; husband, Charles, and son, Charles E. Lewis; daughter-in-law Marguerite Lewis and son-in-law Michael Bourne.
Cherished memories are held by her children, Dwight, Charlene, Carlton (Neda), Angela, and Adrian; grandchildren, Dana (Nikki), Bradley (Amber), Matthew, Alicia, Mallory, Charles, Dan, Angel, Tina Clark, and Pricilla McCauley. Families that she considers her own include the family of Ernest McDuffey, the family of Beal Bourne, the Thomas and Booker families, the Bass and Shoulders families, special granddaughter Kyla Bourne, special friend and neighbor, Sally Ligon and son, and a host of cousins, friends, and the entire Bethel A.M.E. Church family.
Family will receive friends, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, October 1, 2021 at Mount Olive Baptist Church, 1601 Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915 ; Homegoing Celebration, 11:30 a.m., Rev. Lee Russell., Officiating.
Interment East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery 5901 Lyons View Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
Arrangements by JARNIGAN & SON MORTUARY
www.jarniganandson.com
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Receiving of Friends
Friday, October 1, 2021
10:30-11:30 a.m
Mount Olive Baptist Church
1601 Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915
Funeral Service
Friday, October 1, 2021
11:30 a.m
Mount Olive Baptist Church
1601 Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915
Graveside
Friday, October 1, 2021
East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery
5901 Lyons View Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
RECEIVING OF FRIENDS LOCATION
FUNERAL SERVICE LOCATION
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Memorial Video
Funeral Service
Our hearts are broken with sadness because of our love one has departed from us, but we do rejoice with heaven for another precious soul has entered heavens gates as we patiently wait for our call to join them. Earth has know sorrow that heaven cannot heal. For weeping may endure for a night, but Joy will come in the morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with our family.
My prayers are with you during this season of your lives. Auntie will be greatly missed. Love you all
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. (Psalm 116:5)
To the Lewis Family, I am so sorry for your loss she was such a precious lady.
My continued thoughts and prayers are with the Mallary family .
Angela
Please accept my deepest sympathy and my condolences as you mourn the passing of your beloved Mother,
I loved Mrs Lewis myself… but we know Who loved her Best😔May the Lord our God grant you and your siblings, nieces and nephews, your entire family, the peace that passes all understanding thru Christ Jesus🙏🏿
To the Lewis and Mallory family, my deepest condolences for the loss of your Mother. She was a sa set person. Our prayer is that you can find joy and peace in God’s word and the wonderful memories you have.
Dwight, God bless you and your family during this time of your loss.
To the Lewis and Mallory family, my deepest and heartfelt condolences for the loss of your Mother. She was a sweet and warm Lady whom we all loved and admired. God needed another Angel in his army. I will keep you in my prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you during this time of loss. Our prayer is that you can find joy and peace in God’s word and the wonderful memories you have.
Angela and family my heart is heavy and sadden of the death of your mother. Talledega Ala. & Knoxville TN. lost an Angel. What a special sweet person. Rest in heaven you earn your golden crown.
Osmond & Robinson – Knoxville TN.
Your Talledge family – Johnnie Scales and family, Green Family.
My heart is heavy of the loss of my precious cousin Rosa Lee.l called and talked to her and that sweet voice and warm heart made me feel so blessed to have such an amazing lady in my life.Our family have lost a jewel and Jesus have gained an angel RIH sweet lady but always in my heart.
Sincere condolences to the family in the passing of your beautiful mother. She was truly a jewel, such a sweet lovable person. She was loved by many and will be missed and never forgotten. 🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️
My deepest condolences and prayers doing this time. Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.
Mother Lewis was as dear to my heart as my own. I will miss her sweet smile and calming voice. I’m sure heaven gained a Angel.
Sending condolences from the Knoxville College and Maynard Elementary family. Granny Lewis will be missed greatly.
Angie my condelence to you and your family ever time I saw her you where with her and she always had a smile but God has a plan for her rest in heaven Ms Rosa
Vanessa Glenn
Angie and Family, I am so saddened by the passing of Mother Lewis. She was a beautiful spirit who always gave me a word of encouragement. I will miss her tender hugs and her loving spirit. She was a true Mother to all of us at Bethel. I will be praying for you and your family. I love you guys so much.