Clarence William Lewis (1931-2002)

Clarence William Lewis was born March 16, 1931 in Pulaski County, to Joseph Henry and Rosey Bell (Kelly) Lewis. While working on the WPA projects during the depression, Clarence's father Henry caught pneumonia and died in 1934. In 1943, his mother Rosey married Monroe Foster.

Clarence attended school at Dry Creek before his family moved to Waynesville in 1940 and he attended Waynesville schools.

When Clarence was young, he had jet black hair, and was therefore given the name "Blackie" by Fred Cook when he carried newspapers on Fort Leonard Wood for Lyle Cox. Blackie had a reputation for being a hard worker and he worked for many well known business people in the area. He worked at Waynesville Lumber Company for Mark Blue and Gene Farnham and he worked on farms for Jim and Claude Laughlin and for Joe Morgan, Bill Hensley and Whis Dye. He also worked for Arch Cohn and Louie Carmack.

In 1947, Clarence accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior and was baptized by Andy Shepard at Deerlick Baptist Church. In 2000, he moved his membership to the Gateway Baptist Church where his close friend, Rev. Wilbur Harbaugh serves as pastor. Blackie also attended Westside Baptist Church with Rev. Harbaugh.

Blackie departed this life the morning of July 8, 2002 at Sunset Village of the Ozarks, St. Robert, Missouri, at the age of 71 years.

He is survived by one brother: Jesse Lewis and his wife, Lucy of Mexico, Mo., and a half brother: Roy Lee Foster and his wife, Lynn of Waynesville. He also leaves three nieces and two nephews: Norma Hedgpeth of Missouri City, Texas, Sharon Kay Mitchell of Jefferson City, Linda Cox and Donnie and Larry Lewis all of Mexico, Mo., and numerous cousins.

Clarence was preceded in death by his baby brother, Raymond; his father: Henry; his stepfather: Monroe Foster; his mother: Rosey; his brother: Ernest Lewis of California and one sister: Alene Quiggle.

Blackie Lewis was well known in the Waynesville-St. Robert area. Blackie loved people and loved to visit. His favorite conversations revolved around politics, current events and religion. Blackie worked hard all of his life, and lived up to all financial responsibilities…he never asked for credit, and paid when purchasing items. He felt deeply about his country, and never missed an opportunity to vote. He was kind, was never heard to speak ill of others and never complained about his own condition nor those situations existing in our world.

Those people who knew Blackie will miss seeing him driving his blue car, sitting on the courthouse lawn or on his porch. 

A funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 13 at Waynesville Memorial Chapel with Blackie's good friend, Rev. Wilbur Harbaugh officiating. Pianist, Kitty Scott played as the congregation sang, "The Old Rugged Cross." Serving as escorts were John Bonebrake, Kenny Foster , John Hedgpeth, Dwight Hensley, Judge Doug Long and Chuck Thompson. Claude Laughlin, Jim Laughlin and Frank Farris were honorary escorts.

Burial was in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery.