Rev. Earsel L. Lewis

Reverend Earsel L. Lewis, 94, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Gainesville. Earsel was born June 14, 1930, in Williamsville, (Kimper County) Mississippi, the second child of the late Linson and Augusta Lewis who were farmers. He had two brothers, Mersel Lewis, Clyde Lewis, and one sister Arnetta Lewis. Before being drafted into the United States Army, he worked in the cotton fields. His basic training was at Fort Sill, Oklahoma preparing with the “Black army” to serve in Korea. He served 20 years in the military, traveling to each of the United States except for New York. Rev. Lewis was the Pastor of St. Johns United Methodist Church in Fort Pierce, FL (January 1, 1982 – May 31, 1985) where his 1st wife also served the church as it’s choir director. In June of 1985, he was appointed to Bartley Temple United Methodist Church in Gainesville, FL where after the passing of his 1st wife Lena, he met his 2nd wife Lillie whom he married in 1992. It was from Bartley Temple UMC that he retired in 1994, retaining his membership until his passing. A pastor devoted to giving so much of himself to his members and their families, he called each member’s household early on Thanksgiving and Christmas mornings to greet them for the day. A great cook, he, for years, shared his culinary skills with members of the community through his restaurant, E & L Soul Food. He would often sell dinners and bar-be-que rib sandwiches giving the money he earned to the youth ministry at his church. In addition to his parents, Rev. Lewis was preceded in death by his 1st wife, Lena McNeal; two brothers, Mercel Lewis, and Clyde Lewis; one sister Arnetta Lewis; and one stepdaughter Tonie Henry.

He leaves his memories to be cherished by his loving and devoted wife, of nearly 33 years, Lillie Pearl Joiner Henry Lewis; a son Reginald C. Lewis; daughter Kathryn Bracey-Darling (Jimmie); and three stepdaughters, Dorothy Holmes, Edith Epps, and Debra Legette; a goddaughter, Tia Vann; special family friends and mentees, Rev. Grimsley, Rev. Milford Griner, Rev. Izzie Williams and Claudia; 8 grandchildren: Natasha Y. Oliver (James), Regina V. Berry (Samuel), Satonya S. Samuel (Sam), Trevor A. Bracey Sr., Jermaine Bracey (Stephanie), Sakeetra Bracey-Williams (Arnette), Kristian A. Holmes, Williams T. Holmes; a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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