Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Virginia Lewis
Virginia “Ginny” Grace Carter Lewis, 62, of Lincoln, Ark., passed away June 26, 2017. She was born June 26, 1955, in Little Rock, Ark., the daughter of Alan and Sue Carter.
She was raised in
Hazen, Ark., with her four siblings. She graduated Hazen High School as Salutatorian in 1973 and earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Arkansas in 1977. While attending college, she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and met the love of her life and later married, Thomas “Tommy” Hindman Lewis. She and Tommy raised two children, Thomas “Chris” Lewis and Mindy Michelle Lewis.
She returned to the University of Arkansas and earned her Ph.D in Biology and was among the first to receive the coveted Brandon Burlsworth Scholarship for academic excellence in her field. Dr. Lewis was adjunct faculty at the U of A, teaching Immunology and Microbiology for several years, along with conducting laboratory research in the pursuit of curing cancer.
The middle child of five, she was correctly named, as grace described her spirit of life and was the heart of her family. Both beautiful and brilliant, this gorgeous blonde took many by surprise with her knowledge and explanation of bacterial genetics, metabolic synthesis, and immunological principle. She was admired and loved by all who knew her quick wit and loving nature. She was a “giver,” always putting others’ needs before her own. In her final days, she was most concerned about her loved one’s emotions. Not once during her battle, did she complain of her pain or struggle.
She was an animal lover and never met a creature that didn’t return her admiration. This caused her difficulty in her research as much testing was on mice and guinea pigs. She was a member of the Perennial Garden Club of Fayetteville, Ark., and held offices in this special organization. The light of her life was spending time with her grandson, Thomas Carter Lewis.
She was preceded in death by her son, Christopher Lewis; parents, Alan and Sue Carter; father-in-law, Tom Lewis.
She is survived by her husband, Tommy Lewis; daughter, Mindy Lewis; daughter-in-law, Alecia Lewis; grandson, Thomas Lewis; siblings, Becky Wakefield and her husband Harry; Alan Carter and his wife Debra; Dr. Niki Carter; Dr. Christi Bruening and her husband Bill; sister-inlaw, Debbi and her husband Dr. Mike Mohler; brotherin-law, Tim Lewis and his wife Sharon; mother-in-law, Margaret Lewis Leonard and husband Jim; and a host of loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
The Celebration of Life memorial service was held Friday, June 30, 2017, at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville under the direction of Moore’s Chapel in Fayetteville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, 224 N. East Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72701 or Perennial Garden Club, c/o Mrs. Gina Pendergraft, 900 West Drake Street, Fayetteville, AR 72704. To place an online tribute visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.