Superintendent Jimmie Lee "Jim" Lewis, 84, of Hastings, was called from his earthly tabernacle and entered into the presence of the Lord surrounded by his devoted wife and family on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at Flagler Hospital, St. Augustine. A native of the quaint small Florida town of Elkton, he was the son of Joe Herbert Lewis, Sr. and Maybell (Glass) Lewis, born on Sunday, February 4, 1934. He was formally educated at the St. Johns School District's Hastings Vocational Training School.

Affectionately known as "Jim," Pastor Lewis worked diligently as a farming contractor for Thigpen Farm for many years, cultivating a lifelong friendship with the Thigpen family. He subsequently became a Supervisor with Dawkins (Big D's) Lumber Company of Palatka; Foreman with C&P Lumber Company of St. Augustine; and retired from Palm Coast Lumber & Supply Company of Palm Coast and likewise built lifelong relationships with his fellow co-workers.

Pastor Lewis frequently testified of God's calling upon his life at the youthful age of 17. After accepting Christ as his Lord and personal Savior, he served under the pastoral leadership of Elder John Henry Pompey and was successively ordained as a Deacon, Minister and as an Elder. One day, 63 years ago, "Jim" laid his eyes upon a "sweet Georgia peach" at the end of a cabbage row and he was enamored by her beauty and sweet, sweet spirit. And oh my, as soon as he could, he left the "Sunshine State" (Florida) and headed towards the "Peach State" (Georgia) to ask Darletha Roberts's parents for her hand in marriage and with their blessing, they united in holy matrimony. Their beautiful marital union flourished with nine strong, loyal, faithful, God-fearing children. They graciously honored and kept their vows to God and one another until God called him home to rest, 63 years later. He was loyal to the Lord, the Church and Elder Pompey working devotedly with him at Pompey's Temple Church of God In Christ of Hastings.

In 1988, the Lord led Elder Lewis to commence Pastoral Ministry, along with his wife Missionary Darletha Lewis and he became Pastor and Founder of The Holy Church of Zion, Inc., (currently located in Armstrong, FL). In 1998, Pastor Lewis was appointed as the Superintendent of the Hastings District by Bishop Henry L. Butts, of East Central Florida Ecclesiastical Fellowship, Church of God in Christ, Daytona Beach, FL. Pastor Lewis' spiritual journey was not an easy one, but with God and his dedicated soulmate, Missionary Lewis constantly by his side, he always gained the victory! Pastor Lewis served faithfully and diligently as Senior Pastor for 30 years at The Holy Church of Zion until his eternal appointment was ordered by the Lord.

Over many years, Pastor Lewis took great pride in preparing meals for the community and realized a true, loving peace of mind while fishing with family and friends, most especially with his sweetheart, Missionary Darletha Lewis. Pastor Lewis counted it an honor to donate (twice a year) to the St. Johns County Sheriff's Department, who presented "Care Bears" to those who were sick and needy.

He was preceded in eternal rest by his parents; brothers, Joe Lewis, Jr., Benjamin Lewis, David Sellars, and Johnny Tomblin; sisters, Cora Tomblin, Leslie Amos, Isabella Davis; two grandchildren, Sanjena Latrice Carter, Eric Brent Felder, Jr.

He leaves to cherish his memories and carry on his legacy: his loving wife and soulmate of 63 years, Missionary Darletha Roberts Lewis, Hastings; daughters, Patricia (Emanuel) Robinson Palatka; Scarlet (Jerome, Sr.) Carter, Carolyn Simpson, Evangelist Kim Lewis-Felder, all of Hastings; sons, Jimmie Lee Lewis Jr., Andrew James (Lois) Lewis, Sr., Elder Ricky B. Lewis, Sr., Isaiah Jerome (Phyllis) Lewis, Sr. all of Hastings; Terrant Limott (Christy) Lewis, Jacksonville; 31 grandchildren who brought great joy to his heart and lovingly called him "Daddy"; 61 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; His 5 sisters and 6 brothers (along with their spouses) found solace in his relationship with Jesus Christ and was drawn through his unwavering faith: Willie Mae James, Doretha Lewis Hunter, Evangelist Lillie Freeman, all of Hastings; Rosa Washington, East Palatka; Ester Mae Alexander, High Springs; Sylvester (Mary) Tomblin, Sr., North Lauderdale; Dr. Sammie Tomblin, Altamonte Springs; Wade Tomblin, New Brunswick, NJ; Joseph (Gwen) Lewis, Miami Gardens; George (Belinda) Lewis, Calvin (Dora) Lewis, all of Gainesville; Simon Lewis, Hastings; "Raised as brothers, Andrew (Terry) Merkerson, Daytona Beach; George (Lisa) Alexander, Hastings; sisters-in-law, Sweetie Mae Brown, Brunswick, GA; Cordelia Foster, Baxley, GA; Evangelist Retha Lewis, Amityville, NY; Bernice Tomblin, Riviera Beach; Spiritual sons, Elder Benjamin R. (Arlene) Prince, Hastings; Bishop Samuel L. (Rose) Butts, Daytona Beach; spiritual daughter, Cindy Thigpen Drawdy, St. Augustine; god-brother, Clarence James Jackson, god-sister: JaTanya Jackson, god-daughters, Alisha Bryson-Hall & Rose Chestnut; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and countless sorrowing friends.

Visitation of family and friends: 5-7 p.m., Friday, June 29, (Victory Celebration 6-7 p.m.) at Holy Church of Zion Church of God in Christ, 4955 Bradley Street, Armstrong. The COGIC Official State Homegoing Celebration: 11 a.m., Saturday, June 30, at The Lord's Temple, City of Refuge, 140 Gilmore Street, Hastings, Bishop Thomas Cave III, Elder Abram Jones, Host Pastors. Bishop Gary L. Hall, Sr., Jurisdictional Prelate, Central Florida First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Church of God in Christ, is the eulogist. Interment: Pattersonville Memorial Cemetery, 275 CR 207-A, East Palatka.