Howard L. “Pop” Lewis

 Howard L.”Pop” Lewis, 98, of Moberly, passed away, Wednesday, October 11, 2023.

April 21, 1925, Harriett and Will Henry Lewis gave birth to Howard Lee Lewis in Moberly, Missouri. It was in Moberly that Howard attended school and became a graduate at Lincoln High. At the age of 18 he joined the Navy during WWII and served for two years and three months, prior to receiving a Honorable Discharge.  Following the war, Howard re-enlisted on a voluntary basis.

In 1945 Howard married Velma Everly and they gave birth to their son, Richard Lee Lewis Walton of Santa Cruz, California. Howard resided in Kansas City, Missouri for a brief period of time and then returned to Moberly as a permanent resident. For the majority of his career, following serving as an employee of the Kansas City postal department, Howard was employed at the Missouri Power and Light Company for 22 years before retirement.

In 1958 Howard married Margaret Ann Norman (who preceded him in death in 1998) from Little Rock, Arkansas. Howard later became the father of Jacquelyn Bernice Thompson (Paul) of Urbandale, Iowa, Deborah Ann Lewis of Columbia, Missouri and Randy Lynn Cropp (Rosie), of Aurora, Colorado, 1st cousin, Marilyn Joyce Worley. From these families came numerous grand, and great and great-great grandchildren.

Howard Lewis served as a lifetime member of the M. W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F. & A.M. He was ordained as a deacon at Second Missionary Baptist Church of Moberly, Missouri under the ministry of Rev. Fate White and has remained dedicated to that position.

It was most important to Howard to visit those in nursing homes, provide prayer service for those in the hospital, help anyone in need to the best of his ability and to always enjoy the laughter and hugs from the little children. It was his desire to be a servant of the Almighty God and to strive to be obedient to the Great Commission found in the book of Matthew.

Words of comfort and support may be shared with the family at a visitation to be held Friday, October 27, 2023, 10:30 am to 11:30 am at the 2nd Baptist Church, Moberly to be followed by funeral services honoring Pop’s life at 11:30 am.  Committal prayer, Military Honors and burial will take place at the Memorial Park Cemetery.