Vida Lewis
February 2, 1922 ~ November 1, 2017
Vida Lee Davidson Lewis was born into this world on February 2, 1922 and entered her greater reward on November 1, 2017. She was the first of six children of Hamlet and Cora Davidson born near Saltillo, Texas. She learned early how to cook, care for younger siblings, and to work hard in the West Texas cottonfields.
She left the family and cottonfields at age eighteen, traveling by train to Arizona to find adventure and create a better life. She descended the Grand Canyon on a mule and possessed this courage and adventurous spirit through life by taking her first motorcycle ride on her 90th birthday. Vida's mission and calling was to love and care for all, especially children. She cared for a family and children in Arizona before moving back to work as a hospital aide at Methodist Hospital in Dallas. Set up on a blind date by a future sister-in-law, Vida met Vernie Francis Lewis at the Texas State Fair in 1948. Having found loving partners, they married in 1949 and began a family of their own. She raised five children with ceaseless love, moral guidance, and gentle discipline. When that didn't work, she'd say “just wait 'til your daddy gets home.”
Vida lost Vernie in 1970 still having young children to raise. To support her family, she babysat for dozens of other young children, giving them the same loving, motherly care with which she blessed her own children.
One of Vida's mottos was “to have a friend, you must be a friend.” She made friends for many decades as a member of the First Baptist Church of Hughes Springs, TOPS, Eastern Star (receiving the Crystal Globe Award in 2000 after fifty years of membership), enjoyed playing “42” with two groups, hosting parties and especially loved Christmas gatherings. She sent cards for birthdays, anniversaries, get well and sympathy because she truly wanted others to feel loved and cared for. She was thrilled by the beauty of nature, particularly the flowers around her home.
Family surviving to cherish Vida's life are sons and daughters, James and Karen Lewis, Stephen and Janet Lewis, Virginia and Randy Fretwell, Katherine and Mark Johnson, Frances and Scott Parks. Grandchildren include Christopher Byrd, Casey Foster, Austin Lewis, Cheyenne Laywell, Shiloh Stephenson, Robert Parks, Emma White-Fretwell, Joy Bragg, Ryan Kirkpatrick, Holly Latham, and Kent Pendleton. Also are eight handsome great-grandsons and five beautiful great-granddaughters. Her much-loved sister, Faye Homer, is her only surviving sibling, with Grady, T.J., Murrel and Ray predeceasing her; and a number of nieces and nephews are spread across Texas and states west.
Services for Ms. Lewis will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 4, 2017 at Reeder-Davis Chapel. Burial will follow at Hughes Springs Cemetery under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Hughes Springs.
There will be a time of visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. Saturday and lasting until service time.
In Memory of a Mother
I remember thee in this solemn hour, my dear mother.
I remember the days when thou didst dwell on earth,
and thy tender love watched over me like a guardian angel.
Though hast gone from me, but the bond which unites our souls
can never be severed, thine image lives within my heart.
May the merciful Father reward thee for the faithfulness
and kindness thou hast ever shown me; may He lift up the light
of his countenance upon thee and grant thee eternal peace.
Amen
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Katherine, I haven’t seen you in years but think of you often….I had the pleasure of doing Mrs. Vida’s hair at the Springs for about a year, this was a year or so ago….she was such a sweetie…. I’m praying for you and your family. Love you
Katherine, I haven’t seen you in years but think of you often….I had the pleasure of doing Mrs. Vida’s hair at the Springs for about a year, this was a year or so ago….she was such a sweetie…. I’m praying for you and your family. Love you
I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet Mother. She was always so kind to everyone. Prayers and comfort for you during this time.
James and Karen and the Lewis Family, thoughts and prayers for you at this time. Heaven gained a beautiful angel, but she lives in each of you that she loved so very much.
I am so sorry to hear of Ms Vida but she is no longer in pain and now is where she knows everyone and having a great time with her pretty smile. She was one of a kind and prayers and thoughts are with all of you. Love you
James, Stephen, Virginia, Katherine and Frances, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families at this difficult time. Your Mom was always welcoming us kids to her home and was so sweet and kind. I am sorry that I won’t be able to be there in person, especially for Stephen, my classmate and friend, but please know I will be thinking of all of you. Debbie Terry Burke
So sorry to hear of your mama”s passing. She is complete and whole in Jesus now. Praying for your family.
Francis, I am so sorry to hear about your mom. She was such a sweet woman. I know she’ll be missed but Praise the Lord she’s with Him and at peace.
Prayers & love to your family . So very sorry to hear of your the passing of your sweet Mother.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for each family member during this difficult time.
Katherine, I haven’t seen you in years but think of you often….I had the pleasure of doing Mrs. Vida’s hair at the Springs for about a year, this was a year or so ago….she was such a sweetie…. I’m praying for you and your family. Love you
Dear Stephen, I am so sorry to learn of your mom’s passing. I hope your mind is full of warm memories of her. Prayers of comfort for you and your family. Sandi Spurlin Tervonen
Thinking about all of you at this time. Your mom was such a sweet gentle soul. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.
Lovely woman, she exemplified motherhood to the fullest.
Dear Stephen and family, I was so sorry to hear about your Mom! What a blessing it was for all of you to be with her for as long as you did. Your Mom was a special person in so many of our lives. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this sad time in your lives. Love you all and May God Bless and be there for each of you! Our loss is Heaven’s gain!!!
What a beautiful remembrance this obituary is .. the story of a life lived full of love, giving, unselfish caring for others. It was a joy & inspiration to read. May the Lord be with all who grieve the loss of this amazing lady, and may your hearts be full having loved & been loved by her. You have my deepest sympathy.
My thoughts and prayers to Mrs. Lewis’ family. I have fond memories of my days at her home for I was one of her adopted kids. Although I hadn’t seen her in some time she always had a hug and a smile for me. I know that she is with her Lord and savior so that comforts me. Mrs Lewis you were the best!!!
my thought and prayer are with you. Vida was such a wonderful person
I remember your Mother fondly. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Very sorry for your loss. Miss Vida was a good Lady. Prayers for your family
James, sorry to hear about the loss of your mother.