Herman Lawton Lewis, Sr.

Herman Lawton Lewis, Sr., 86, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Hospice of South Georgia surrounded by his loving family.

A native and lifelong resident of Wayne County, Herman was born on October 28, 1938 to the late Foy S. and Flossie Bennett Lewis.  He graduated from Wayne County High School in the class of 1957 and worked for a short time at the pig farm.  Soon after, he began a career at Rayonier where he worked forty years until his retirement in 2002.  Herman was always a farmer.  He raised cows and hogs, row crops and hay in addition to his work at the mill.  He cared about his community and was always willing to  “give back” by volunteering his time and talents in any way he could.  Herman served on the Wayne County Tax Assessor Board and was a member of the Wayne County Livestock Association, the Georgia Cattleman’s Association and the Wayne County Young Farmers where he was honored as a Lifetime Member.  Herman was a member of the Jesup Primitive Baptist Church for sixty years and was always ready to help a person in need, many times using the skills of his trade, any time he could without recognition or payment from others.  At the heart of his Christian faith was the importance of a Christian home and family.  He enjoyed spending time around the dinner table with the ones he loved most, sharing memories, laughs and life lessons few will ever forget.  In addition to his parents, his infant sister, Ethel Lewis; sisters, Frances Anderson and Vida Aspinwall and brothers, Vernon, Elmer, Franklin, Linton and Jerry Lewis, all preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife of sixty-six years, Matilda “Tillie” Dukes Lewis of Jesup; son, Herman Lewis, Jr. and wife, Brenda of Jesup; daughters, Pam Baatz and husband, Rod of Maple City, Michigan and Ginger Pumpelly and husband, Josh of Franklin, Tennessee; brother, Julian Lewis and wife, Carol of Jesup; grandchildren, Amy Lang, Garrett Lewis and wife, Hanna, Alicia Baatz, Jordan Baatz, and Lewis Pumpelly and great grandchildren, Aidan, Seth and Levi.  A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members also survive.

Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 5, 2025 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with Elder Keith Tillman officiating.

Interment will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Wayne Anderson, Randall Aspinwall, Doug Lewis, Vernie Lewis, Dale Lewis, Len Lewis, Dennis Benner and Robby Harless.

The family wishes to issue a heart-felt thank you to Hospice of South Georgia for the care and compassion shown to them during this difficult time.

Remembrances may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd., Jesup, GA 31545 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Herman Lawton Lewis, Sr., please visit our floral store.