Precious Lord, take my hand. Lead me on, let me stand.
I’m tired, I’m weak, I’m lone. Through the storm, through
the night, Lead me on to the light. Take my hand, Precious
Lord, lead me home. ——– Thomas Dorsey
On Monday morning, May 13, 2019, the Lord took Sam’s hand and, indeed, led him Home. We can only imagine the wondrous celebration that took place as he met his Savior and reunited with those he loved.
Combined Committal Service for Sam Ed and Ray Nell: 11AM Tuesday, June 11th at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Grand Prairie.
Sam was born on a Sunday morning, September 7, 1941, to Lonnie Lee and Edith Kirkpatrick Lewis at the family farm near the Kirk community. He was the first grandchild on either side of his family, so to say he was adored, is an understatement.
Sam’s education actually began during the fading years of the one-room school house in the Victoria community. When the Victoria school consolidated with Mart in 1952, the students transferred to Mart, where Sam graduated in 1960. Following graduation, Sam enlisted in the US Air Force. He spent the next 4 years stationed at Etain Air Base in France.
Upon returning home, he soon met the absolute love of his life, Ray Nell Collinsworth. The couple was married on March 6, 1966 at the First United Methodist Church of Mart. To this union were born two sons: Adron Lee and Bradly Ray. Sam and Ray remained happily married until her death on February 20, 2019, just two weeks before their 53rd Anniversary.
Sam was active in the Mart community throughout his adult life with his construction business, his church, and his family. He was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend to many. Sam went about every day of his life doing the Lord’s work. He talked the talk and walked the walk. If you were fortunate enough to know Sam, then you knew “Whose” he was, without question. He was never known to criticize or find fault with another person. He could absolutely find the good in anyone. He stayed in prayer for everyone and every situation that he encountered. As his health declined and he was not able to be out and about, he became a powerful prayer warrior for his family, friends, community, and nation.
Sam’s unending sense of peace, love, and message of hope will be profoundly missed by those of us who loved him and feel his absence on a personal level. Cherishing his memory will be his children and grand children: Adron and Amy Lewis (Meagan and Jacob), Brad and LaDonna Lewis (Madyson and Emma), God-daughter Jenny Sanders (Eric); special friends, Dennis and Denise Bagby; sister, Lynn Sawyers (Ronnie); sister-in-law, Sue Kimball; brother-in-law, Enoch Collinsworth (Ranell); nieces and nephews: Jay Sawyers, Bryan Sawyers, Waymon Kruger, Mike Kruger, Donna Lucia, Becky Rice, Andrea Crueton, Jessica Barnhart, and Hannah Morton. Add to this list his 26 great nieces and nephews and his 12 cousins, and you have a large circle of love that will carry his memory and teachings into the future. One of Sam’s greatest goals was to make the world a better and kinder place.
Though our hearts are heavy with grief at this time, we know that our Sam is the happiest angel in Heaven, rejoicing with his wife, parents, grandparents, and all the relatives and friends who have gone before him. We find comfort in knowing that Sam was able to hear the Lord say to him, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”
Print Obituary & Condolences
Dear Lewis Family,
The Baylor Scott & White Hospice team is thinking of you during this time. Thank you for allowing us to care for Mr. Lewis and please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Carolyn Wilson Shurette called me and told me of Sam Ed’s passing. I am Bill D. Wilson, son of Marvin Wilson and grandson of Marshall and Essie Shanks Wilson. My wife, Mary Weempe Wilson, and I had met Sam Ed once or twice.
As a child I took the ice truck from Coolidge to Kirk to visit Aunt Lena and Lonnie and Bernice. Those were fond memories. We will be praying for you during this period of time.
Lynn and family,
We are so sorry to hear about Sam’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family at this time.
Mary and Bobby Watkins (Austine’s daughter)
My deepest condolences to you and your family. Sam was truly an incredible person, and I know his loss is felt deeply,
I personally will miss hearing his voice on the phone every Christmas season, he always made a point to call during the holidays, so I will be thinking of him most then, rest in peace my good friend.
Lynn and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Sam and Ray’s passing. I don’t know if you remember me, but I am Nancy Riley Marx. You and Sam became close relatives when our grandparents married after losing their first spouses. I remember many visits to Mart. Sam was so helpful when my Dad (Leslie Riley) passed and was buried in Mart next to his wife (my mother), Mabel Clark Riley. The tombstone for my Dad didn’t get placed until after we left to come home to CA so I asked Sam to check on it for me. He did and took a picture for me. I was glad to know that the dates were correct. We had several phone conversations then and also when Thom Clark (my first cousin) was going through ALS. Sam was so supportive to Thom and truly had the message of the Lord in him. That message went out to everyone. He will surely be missed.
Dear Lewis family,
It has been three weeks already that Sam passed away. I’m sad with you. He was my friend for more than 55 years. I was glad to meet him and Ray 4 years ago when I was in Waco.
Deepest sympathy. Rest In Peace
Sam had called us when he lost Rae. We were so sorry to hear about that and then now about Sam. We had been in contact every Christmas season for many years and then we missed this past winter. In attempting to contact Sam I found out about his passing. This had been a long friendship since I first met him at Etain Air Base in France in 1963. The friendship lasted all these years and we were fortunate enough to have had a few visits over the years with our families being able to meet. He was so proud of his family and he always kept us updated with photos. A remarkable person who will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Our condolences too his family. He was a remarkable person.