Nov. 12, 1939 – Jan. 8, 2013

NATCHEZ — Services for Deacon Jessie “Dune” Lewis, 73, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, Natchez Community Hospital, will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Greater Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Clifton Marvel officiating.

Burial will follow at Sunset View Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today and from noon until service time Sunday, both at the church.

Mr. Lewis was born Nov. 12, 1939, in Franklin County, the son of Claiborne and Alice Lewis. He was baptized at an early age and became a member of Greater Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church where he served as a faithful deacon for a number of years. Until retirement, he was employed by J.M. Jones Lumber Mill.

Deacon Lewis was affectionately called “Dune” by a number of people. He was also known for his flavorful personality and loving jokes. Deacon Jessie will be remembered and greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death his parents; two special sons, Vernon E. Bernard and Tyrone Bernard Sr.; two brothers, A.D. Lewis and Willie Bell Lewis; and two sisters, Forrestine Williams and Ida Lewis.

Survivors include a loving and devoted wife, Beatrice Bernard Lewis; three sons, Carlos Lewis and wife, Rhonda, of Baton Rouge, Jessie Lewis Jr. and wife, Darlene, of New Orleans and Carl Lewis and wife, Sheila, of Natchez; three daughters, Jeanette Jenkins of New Orleans, Debbie White and husband, Walter, and Brenda Bernard, all of Natchez; four brothers, Jellest Lewis and wife, Clara, of Waveland, Boris Lewis of Bay St. Louis, Clayborn Lewis and wife, Margie, of Elberton, Ga., and Johnnie Lewis and wife, Dianne, of Los Angeles; one brother-in-law, James Bernard Sr. of Natchez; three sisters-in-law, Eyvonne Lewis and Clara Lewis, both of Natchez, and Jackie Sims of Milwaukee, Wis.; six grandchildren whom he raised as his own, Tranthony Bernard, LaTarsha Bernard Thomas and husband, Stephen, Nongula Bernard, Aadrain Bernard, Brandi Bernard and Candi Bernard, all of Natchez; a special niece, Clementine Lewis of Natchez; and a number of other grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends