Obituary of Earline Lewis
Ms. Earline Lewis, age 97, passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at her Residence. Earline was born on April 30, 1926 in Wilson County to the late Earl Lehman and Jessie Campbell.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wesley Lewis; son-in-law, Jerry Stinson.
She is survived by her daughters, Sandra Stinson, Carol (John) Burnett, Patsy (Larry) Davis; grandchildren, Melissa Clounch, Amy (Mike) Smith, Mike (Christy) Davis, Jeff Burnett, Brandy (Rodney) Cagle, and Greg Stinson; great-grandchildren, Brandon (Kati) Clounch, Victoria (Matt) King, Bailey Clounch, Christina (Peter) Wingett, Colby Smith, Hunter Smith, and Logan Hayes; great-great grandchild, Elise King.
Funeral Services are scheduled to be conducted on Monday, September 18, 2023 at 12 PM from the Chapel of Sellars Family Heritage. Interment will follow at Portland Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will begin at the funeral home on Monday, September 18, from 11 AM until service time at 12 PM.
Earline's mind was as sharp as her sewing needle, and she was more than proficient in the use of both. She was not only a Proverbs 31 woman who sought "wool and flax and works with willing hands... [and] dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong." She could also be counted as a Judges 6 woman, full of vim and vigor who was strong in all aspects of her life and was capable of doing anything for those she loved. She lived through the Great Depression and came out strong, more resourceful for it (although the family did cringe a little when she would reuse even meat packing trays to share her zucchini bread.) When she was younger, she had the highest selling shoe for Genesco for the year. After losing her sight, she continued to crochet blankets for nursing home residents purely muscle memory. She taught both of Tori's foster teenagers to knit, and they loved her for it. Earline's heart was split between her Tennessee and Texas family members. She loved when everyone came into town for her famous birthday parties where the only certainty was shenanigans be it from alterations of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" changed to "Earline" or cross-dressing by her son-in-laws. In the way opposites so often attract, she was especially dear to her great great granddaughter, Elise. What would draw a rambunctious toddler to a near-centenarian? They would sneak Pringles and candy in Granny's room and share the same water cup because it was Granny's favorite, and it was Elise's favorite too. They enjoyed hollering for Ollie, Granny's beagle and lovingly calling him a "silly dog." Elise would even share her m&m rewards for got to the potty with Granny in the last days to help Granny feel better. When people asked her what she ate to live so long and be so healthy, the answer was half a pound of bacon daily, not exactly what you might expect. She was a great cook, but her favorite customers were the raccoons and her dogs. She was an animal lover. She would make Scooter, her dachshund, a hot breakfast of eggs and bacon every morning.
Arrangements by Sellars Family Heritage at Portland, 610 N. Broadway Street, Portland, TN 37148. (615)325-5010, obit line (615)325-9725. Online condolences can now be made at www.sellarsfh.com.
