Theda D. Lewis

Theda D. Lewis, 93, of Shawnee, Kansas, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 16, 2012.

Theda was born on December 20, 1918, in Great Bend, Kansas, to Clarence Downey and Ida Mae McDonald-Downey. Theda graduated from Great Bend High School, class of 1938. At the age of 18, Theda accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Theda began her career as a domestic servant at age 16, which relocated her to Denver, Colorado. In 1950, Theda relocated to Kansas City, Missouri, where she worked as a domestic servant totaling 24 years. Then in 1960 she met and married Jack H. Lewis where they started their cleaning service in 1962. They worked for the late Dr. Henry Sullivan for 40 years and Shawnee United Methodist Church for 41 years, where she retired and received an award of appreciation for her dedicated and faithful service from the church in September of 2003. Not willing to stop working, Theda volunteered at the church until November 1, 2011.

Theda had a strong loyalty to the community. In the late 1960s, she was given an honorary award for heroism from the City of Shawnee for her courageous act in saving the life of Mrs. Marge Wiyninger from her burning home.

Theda is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jack; brother, Claude Downey; and sister Isabelle D. Lewis. She is survived by her brother, Addison Downey and his wife Mathilde; her daughter Victoria Judice-Cartwright; step-daughter, Phillis J. Lewis; 8 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be from 2:00-4:00 p.m., Sunday, January 22, 2012, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. A celebration of life will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 23, 2012, at Shawnee United Methodist Church, 10700 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to:

Shawnee United Methodist Church Love Fund

10700 Johnson Drive

Shawnee, Kansas 66203

or

Compassionate Care Hospice

10000 W. 75th Street, Suite 31

Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66204