In Memory of the Honorable Loyd Lewis

Floor Speech

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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 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.

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