Kenneth Lewis

Kenneth Lewis affectionately known as “Kenny” was born October 15, 1953 to Oscar Sr. and Willie Louise (nee Bew) Lewis in Lockport, Illinois.  He departed this life on Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at his home in Atlanta, Georgia surrounded by his loving family.  

Kenny accepted Christ at an early age and joined the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Lockport, Illinois under the leadership of the late Rev. James W. Walton. He later moved his membership to Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Joliet, Illinois under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton Sr. Seeking a deeper relationship with God, Kenneth rededicated his life to Jesus Christ by the confession of his faith in 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia under the watch of Bishop Chantel Wright.

Kenny attended Fairmont Grade School; he graduated from Lockport High School in 1972.  He attended Joliet Junior College summer of 1972, he later transferred to Eastern Illinois University in 1976. Kenny graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration majoring in finance on August 14, 1980. He was the first of his siblings to graduate from a university, which set the bar for those who followed.  

Kenny had a love for sports with a natural physical ability to excel in any sports that he took part in.  His love for wrestling led him to become the Illinois State Champion in 1972 where he won the championship wrestling title. Kenny actively served his country in the United States Marine Corp where he was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal.

In 1982 Kenny moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he began building his business interest in real estate. Kenny was truly a man of the people as he built his dream of providing the three most important elements of life that people needed; food, shelter and an opportunity to earn a living. He exemplified in his work ethic, that his compassion and love for helping others would never be compromised. Kenny’s consistency was apparent, and his love of labor was indefatigable.   

In 1982 Kenny met the love of his life Kathy (Nelson) Lewis. They united in Holy Matrimony and from this union, three loving children were born, Dana Danielle Lewis, Barrington Kendall Lewis, Kendra Shaniece Lewis.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Robert Earl Wright; sister, LePeral Lewis; his parents, Oscar Sr. and Willie (nee Bew) Lewis; maternal grandparents, Willie B.C. and Louellar W. Bew; mother-in-law, Ormi Jean Nelson; uncles, Ivory C. Bew, James R. Bew and George G. Bew.

Kenny leaves to cherish his memories: his loving and devoted wife, Kathy Lewis; his children, Adrian LaShaun Shelby, Dana Lewis, Barrington Lewis and Kendra Lewis; three grandchildren who endearingly called him “Papa”, Kenneth (Jacory) Bernard Flintroy, Jaiden Kendall Christopher Flintroy and Keith Allen Lewis all of Atlanta, GA; two brothers Willie (Cheryl) Wright of Naperville, IL, Oscar (Cassandra) Lewis Jr. of Melbourn, FL; one sister, Vanessa (James) McCollum of Decatur, GA; special nieces and nephews, Andre Wright, Bishop Chantel Wright, Cole Thomas Wright, Tracey Traylor, Aaron Wright, Shalita (Kevin) Ivey, Curtis Terrell III, Jonathan Lewis and Whitney Lewis; special uncle, Telfair Reed who held a special place in his heart as he offered great mentorship and love;  father-in-law, Ira Dale Nelson of Kankakee, IL; special aunts and uncles, Armelda Scott of Gary, IN, Ora Lee (Coy) McElrath, Mamie (Telfair) Reed, Louellar McNear, Lorine (Sam) Mitchell and Dorothy (Cornelius) Gray all of Joliet, IL; sisters-in-law, Frances Young of Detroit, MI and Ida Green of Flint, MI; brothers-in-law, Ira D. Nelson, Jr. of Dekalb, IL, Craig Nelson of Atlanta, GA and Daniel Nelson of Kankakee, IL; numerous cousins, other relatives and friends.   

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