[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 37 (Monday, February 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E154-E155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN MEMORY OF THE HONORABLE LOYD LEWIS

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 27, 2023

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a loving 
husband, dedicated father, community activist, dedicated public 
official, and dear friend of long standing, The Honorable Loyd Lewis.
  Sadly, Mr. Lewis passed away on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. A 
celebration of his remarkable life was held on Saturday, February 25, 
2023, at 3:00 pm in the gymnasium of Quitman County High School in 
Georgetown, Georgia.
  The genesis of Loyd Lewis's story began on March 30, 1935, when he 
was born to the union of the late Lexton Lewis and Willie Mae Griffin 
Lewis in Georgetown, Georgia. He was educated in the Quitman County, 
Georgia school system and graduated from the Kaigler Training School.
  Mr. Lewis graduated from Fort Valley State College with a bachelor's 
degree in Social Studies and he obtained his certification in Guidance 
and Counseling from Tennessee State University, in Nashville, 
Tennessee. Mr. Lewis began his teaching career at his alma mater, the 
Kaigler Training School in 1958.
  On August 16, 1965, Mr. Lewis's life would change forever when he 
married the love of

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his life, Katherine Louise Mauldin of Fort Gaines, Georgia. To this 
blessed union a son, Carvel, was born.
  Loyd used his life's work to affect the lives of young people in a 
monumental way. He was a teacher, guidance counselor, and school bus 
driver. Mr. Lewis served as the Director of the Neighborhood Youth 
Corporation in Columbus, Georgia from 1966 to 1976. From 1976 until 
1984, Loyd served as the Operations Manager for the Columbus Employment 
and Training Administration in Columbus, Georgia under Mayors Jack 
Mickle and Harry Jackson.
  Because of the profound impact of assisting his wife with her 
parent's funeral arrangements in Asheville, NC, Mr. Lewis was inspired 
to go into funeral service and in 1969, he and his beloved wife opened 
Lewis Mortuary in Fort Gaines, Georgia. For over 53 years, this 
business has brought comfort to families in Southeast Alabama and 
Southwest Georgia.
  Loyd was always involved in things that were for the betterment of 
his community. He was truly a humble and benevolent servant. For many 
years, the city of Georgetown was without an AME Church until Loyd 
Lewis stepped in with a group of ladies to reopen St. Stephens AME 
church. He and Katherine put their dreams of building a home on hold 
for this project. The church reopened in 1976 and is still going strong 
today.
  He continued to offer himself for service by serving on the Quitman 
County School Board. Loyd would serve as its Chairman for over 15 
years. Because of his efforts, the school system would build a new 
elementary school, high school, and gym that would pave the way for the 
return of students from Stewart County.
  Loyd loved his God and served as a church Steward and Trustee as well 
as church school Superintendent at St. Stephens AME church. He served 
his God by serving the community as a member of the Phi Beta Sigma 
Fraternity, Inc., Cross Road Masonic Lodge No. 190, The State School 
Board Association and The Georgia High School Association.
  Mother Teresa, said ``A life not lived for others is not a life.'' I 
can say without a shadow of doubt that the Honorable Loyd Lewis lived 
his life for others.
  He accomplished much in his life but none of it would have been 
possible without the love and support of his late wife, Katherine, his 
son Commissioner Carvel Lewis and his grandson, Tristan.
  On a personal note, Loyd was my friend and supporter. He never told 
me what he thought I wanted to hear but he always told me what he felt 
I needed to hear. I will miss his wise advice and sage counsel.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with the more than 765,000 people 
in Georgia's Second Congressional District in commending the great 
service to humanity of the Honorable Loyd Lewis and in extending our 
deepest sympathies to his family. May their faith and the Holy Spirit 
console and comfort them in the days, weeks, and months to come.

                          ____________________