FANNIE LEE SMITH LEWIS

Published 5:00 am Saturday, August 30, 2008

Fannie Lee Smith Lewis, 93, went to be with the Lord on August30, 2008. She was born on February 8, 1915, at McCall Creek inFranklin County to Walter Lee and Mae Smith Smith.

She graduated from Lucien High School, Co-Lin Junior College,and the University of Southern Mississippi.

She was a longtime educator teaching at Pleasant Grove School,Auburn, Fair Oak Springs and West Lincoln. After 44 years ofdedicated service to the teaching profession, she retired. Althoughretired, she never missed an opportunity to “teach” – theseteachings were more about life than books.

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

Mrs. Fannie Lee began her faithfulness and dedication to herchurch, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, in 1927. For 81 years, herchurch was such a great part of her life. Through the years, shefaithfully served her Lord in many capacities.

She was an active member of the DAR Chapter of Chloe Holtserving in various positions including Regent for three years. Shewas also a member of the Colonial Dames 17th Century and theretired teachers’ organization.

Mrs. Fannie Lee was most proud of her family and theiraccomplishments. She was extremely proud of her heritage anddedicated much time and energy to the study of genealogy. Sittingon her porch and watching her hummingbirds also brought her greatdelight.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, HiramLewis; her brothers, Marshall E. Smith and Eldon P. Smith; and hersister, Helen Louise Smith.

Survivors include her daughters, Norma Jean Hammill and husband,Dr. Miller Hammill, of Brookhaven, and Mary Louise Freshwater andhusband, Dave, of Bogue Chitto; her grandchildren, Jennifer HammillRebich and husband, Richard, of Jackson, Dr. Melanie Hammill Bishopand husband, Dr. Steve Bishop, of Summit, Dr. Renee Freshwater, ofMarietta, Ga., Rhonda Freshwater, of Atlanta, Ga. and RobinFreshwater Greer and husband, Paul, of Brookhaven.

She treasured the young lives of her great-grandchildren, AnnaMiller, Allen Rebich, Katherine, Ruth, Eleanor and Arthur Bishopand Lainey, Landon, and Carson Greer. A host of nieces and nephewswho admired and loved her dearly also survive her.

Visitation will be at the Brookhaven Funeral Home on NorthJackson Street on Sunday, August 31, from 4 until 8 p.m. Visitationwill be at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church on Monday, September 1 at10 a.m. prior to the funeral at 11 a.m. Burial will be in thechurch cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Copiah-LincolnCommunity College Foundation, P.O. Box 649, Wesson, Mississippi39191, toward the Fannie Lee Smith Lewis Scholarship. Thisscholarship was begun to recognize a well-deserving West LincolnHigh School student who exemplifies the qualities that “Miss FannieLee” instilled in those that she taught. Donations may also be madeto Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Building Fund.