Norma Lewis

WILSON - Norma Howard Lewis, 80, died Friday, October 29, 2010 at Wilson Medical Center. She had been in declining health for some time. A memorial service will be conducted by Dr. Doug Murray at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 4, 2010, at First Baptist Church. Norma was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, the daughter of Earl Newton Howard and Mattie Glover Howard. She attended Murphy School and graduated from Hugh Morson High School. She was proud of being the sponsor of the 1948 Hugh Morson men's basketball team. Norma attended the Woman's College of UNC, now UNC-G, and Meredith College in Raleigh. She left Meredith before graduation to marry Lieutenant William F. Lewis, a N.C. State graduate and Air Force pilot in the Korean War. Norma was preceded in death by her husband, William F. Lewis. She is survived by four sons, William F. Lewis, Jr. and wife, Terri of Zebulon, Keagy H. Lewis of Wilmington, Christopher K. Lewis of Emerald Isle and Edward H. Lewis of Wilson, two grandsons, Edward Bankston Lewis and Francis Curran Lewis, both of Wilson and a brother, Robert E. Howard, Sr. and wife, Janet of Raleigh. Norma was a talented musician, receiving formal piano training during her youth and later serving as a church organist for over twenty years. Norma was a dear person, but with strong opinions. She loved history, literature and flowers. She worked as a library assistant in the Pender County library system. Her greatest love, other than her family, was her service in support of the moderate wing of the Baptist Church. She was a member of the Executive Board of Directors of the NC Women's Missionary Union of the Baptist Church in North Carolina from 1976 to 1979 and 1st Vice President from 1981 to 1983. She enjoyed traveling in that capacity. She was never happier than when her beloved Meredith College was able to break away from the forces of fundamentalism who were seeking to exert the same control over Meredith College as over the Baptist State Convention. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to First Baptist Church, PO Box 1467, Wilson NC 27894 or to the J.C. Ralston Arboretum, PO Box 7522, Raleigh NC 27695.