Wednesday
December 18th, 2024
3:00AM
Joe Emery Lewis Sr., 85, died Feb. 14, 2020 in Marietta, Cobb County, GA. He was born July 26, 1934 in Cordell, Washita County, OK. He was the son of Emery Andrew Sigle Lewis & Hattie Loren “Dinger” (Taylor) Lewis. At an early age, Joe began receiving piano lessons from his father and excelled. He gave his first solo recital at age 5. He completed grades 1-9 at Putnam City Schools in Oklahoma City, OK. He was baptized by his cousin Harland Dilbeck in 1946 at the Church of Christ on 42nd Street in Oklahoma City, OK. His family then moved to a suburb of Kansas City, KS, where he attended Shawnee-Mission High School. He was in the chorus and was student director in grades 10-11. He completed grade 12 at Harding College Academy in Searcy, AK. He was in the college band, was band president, played several instruments, was in the boys’ quartet, and was voted the Academy’s all-around “The Wittiest.”
While a senior in high school, Joe met his future wife, Mary Ruth Herren, and they later married on Nov. 24, 1955.
At Harding College, Joe majored in Music and minored in Biblical Languages. He won all of the musical awards that were to be had. The head of Harding’s music department told Joe’s father that they did not have the capability to challenge Joe’s musical ability. He was the male lead in every opera while attending Harding, and was known for his witty ad lib departures from the script.
After graduating Harding College, Joe was invited to become the Choral Director at Oklahoma Christian College, Edmond, OK and also at Lubbock Christian College, Lubbock, TX. However, he wanted to get his master’s degree first, so he began studying at Kansas University, Lawrence, KS in 1956, where he got a degree in voice. He then secured a job as Choral Director and Music Instructor at York College, York, NE. He later became Choral Director & Music Instructor at York High School, before moving the family to Winchester, KY, where he was the Choral Director & Music Instructor at Southeastern Christian College.
In 1971, the family moved to Atlanta, GA where Joe established Lewis Music. He later worked at Clark Music in Flowery Branch, GA and Lancaster’s Music in Gainesville, GA. In 1975, Joe and his family joined Shallowford Presbyterian Church, where he was very active in the music ministry.
Joe & Mary Ruth were proud loving parents of 6 children: Joe Emery, Jr. (Maggie), Mary Jane (1 Danny, 2 Earl), Bonnie Jean (Nan), Anna Laura, Charles Robert “Bobby” (Beth), and Kyrie Shalom (deceased). They had 9 grandchildren: Joshua Clayton, Katelyn Annette, Chad Anthony (Jenny), Lee Taylor (Savanna), Kellie Amanda (Peter), Christofer David (Elaiza), Anna Jordan, Caleb Austin (Tabitha), & Jessi Maegan (Kevin); and 15 great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Shallowford Presbyterian Church, 2375 Shallowford Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30345 on Monday, March 2, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Flowers may be sent to the church by 12:00 noon on March 2nd. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Shallowford Presbyterian Church (“music ministry” on memo line of check).
Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, 210 Ingram Ave, Cumming, GA 30040 is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be made at www.ingramfuneralhome.com.
