May 11, 1983 – July 30, 2011

NATCHEZ — Services for Ja-Karta Keshon “Sugar Bear” Lewis, 28, of Natchez, who died Saturday, July 30, 2011, in Natchez, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Willie James officiating.

Burial will follow at Leesdale Cemetery under the direction of Bateaste Memorial Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mr. Lewis was born May 11, 1983, in Natchez, the son of Vernon and Beverly Ruth Lewis. He was a graduate of Natchez High School. He was self-employed as a car detailer.

Mr. Lewis loved sports. He was a well dressed, well mannered young man who loved everyone.

He was preceded in death by two uncles, Elbert Fort Jr. and Charlie Cage; great-grandmother, Ruth Stafford; grandmother, Julia Cage; and baby brother, Vernon Lewis.

Survivors include his parents; grandfather, Elbert Fort; three brothers, Tyrus Michale Fort and wife, Lisa, of Hermitage, Tenn., Cecil Van Eric Brown of the U.S. Army and Antonio JaKeth Lewis of Hermitage; three sisters, Karen Lavette Fort, Shameka La’Donna Kay Fort and LaQuanda Tameka Lewis, all of Natchez; five aunts, Wanda McGowan and husband, Kelvin, of Memphis, Tenn., Brenda Jordan and husband, Lonnie, of Smyrna, Tenn., Olia Mae Tenner of Natchez, Juanita Doby of Washington, D.C., and Lillie Mae Brooks of Muskegon, Mich.; three uncles, Rudolph Mazique Fort of Vidalia, Johnny Cage of Nashville, Tenn., and Seargent Brooks and wife, Annie Rose, of Muskegon; a number of nieces, nephews and friends; and special friends, Tamika Webb, Chuck Johnson and Alvin Barnes.

Pallbearers will be friends and family.