John Daniel “Johnnie” Lewis | Eastern North Carolina Now

    John Daniel "Johnnie" Lewis, 79, a resident of 603 Bragaw Lane, Chocowinity, died Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville.

    A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday at Trinity Episcopal Church of Chocowinity, officiated by the Rev. Sonny Browne. Burial will follow in Trinity Cemetery. A reception will be held at the Trinity Parish Hall following the burial.

    Raymond Allen Lewis III, Jerome Hollowell, Tracy Warren, Sammy Deans, John Taylor and Lee Hardee will serve as pallbearers. Billy Whichard, Billy Chandler, Willie Crisp and the members of Haw Branch Hunting Club will serve as honorary pallbearers.

    Johnnie was born in Craven County on May 4, 1932, to the late Raymond Allen Lewis and Lula Mae Gurkin Lewis. He was a 1951 graduate of Chocowinity High School and furthered his education at Northwestern State College (now Louisiana State Teacher's College). Johnnie served his country in the U.S. Air Force. On Dec. 14, 1958, Johnnie married the former Linda Dixon, who survives. He was retired from PCS Phosphate where he had worked in the purchasing department.

    Johnnie also worked, for a period of time, at Paul Auto Supply. He enjoyed hunting, being on the river with his buddy Billy and loved cheering for the UNC Tarheels. Johnnie was very active with his children's athletic and academic pursuits and previously served as president of the Chocowinity PTA. He was a member of the Haw Branch Hunting Club and Trinity Episcopal Church.

    In addition to his wife Linda, of the home, Johnnie is survived by his children: Rhesa Michelle Sparrow of Chocowinity and Daniel Lee Lewis and his girlfriend Nancy Jo Broadwell of Washington; a sister, Hilda Augusta Hollowell of Winterville; a sister-in-law, Mary Jo Guthrie of Washington; grandchildren, Rhesa Jo Sparrow and Cameron David Sparrow, both of Chocowinity, and Taylor Lee Lewis and Tori Ann Lewis both of Washington, and a special friend, Marvin Latham of New Bern.

    In addition to his parents, Johnnie is preceded in death by three brothers, Clyde E. Lewis, Osborne Lewis and Raymond Allen Lewis II; a son-in-law, David Sparrow, and a brother-in-law, T. Russell Guthrie Jr.

    The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. today at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington and other times at the home.

    In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 182 N.C. Highway 33 West, Chocowinity, NC 27817 or the Beaufort County Relay for Life, c/o Lisa Alligood, 7581 Broad Creek Road, Washington, NC 27889.

    Online condolences may be offered and the video tribute may be viewed by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Lewis family.