Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Luvenia Harmon Lewis

Luvenia Harmon Lewis, a woman of unwavering faith, tireless service, and profound compassion, departed this life on Friday, March 13, 2026, at the age of 81. Her journey was defined by a lifelong commitment to healing the body and nourishing the soul.

Born on June 2, 1944, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Willie Lee Harmon and William Rufus Jackson, Luvenia was one of ten children. Raised in a vibrant, close-knit family, she developed a resilient spirit and a deep concern for others that would guide her for the next eight decades.

A Life of Ministry

Luvenia’s walk with Christ began in her youth. At just sixteen, she was licensed to preach at Christian Community Church, and by nineteen, she was ordained into the ministry. Throughout her life, she remained a pillar of the Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Bishop Mac E. Jonas, Bishop Robert L. Chapman, and Bishop Clifford L. Kimbrough Jr. At Jonas Temple in Cleveland, she served in numerous capacities, including trustee, board chair, and personal secretary to Bishop Chapman. Her ministry was rooted in a simple, powerful philosophy: meeting people exactly where they were, whether their needs were spiritual or physical.

A Dedicated Healer and Educator

Luvenia’s calling to serve was equally evident in her forty-year nursing career. A 1961 graduate of Jane Addams High School, she became a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1962. In 1970, she joined the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, where she served in surgical services for over four decades.

A lifelong learner, Luvenia balanced motherhood and work to further her education, becoming a Registered Nurse in 1985. She later earned a Bachelor of Social Work (1995) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (2001) from Capital University, eventually being inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Beyond the hospital, she was a leader and mentor:

• President of the Cleveland Council of Black Nurses (2002–2003).
• Founder of a homeless healthcare ministry at St. Paul’s Community Church (2000–2013).
• Clinical Instructor, training and inspiring the next generation of healthcare workers.

Family and Legacy

In 2021, Luvenia moved to Virginia, where she continued her fellowship at Grace Bible Church and Chalice Christian Church, while maintaining her lifelong roots in Cleveland. She was a devoted mother and grandmother who took immense pride in her family’s achievements.

She was preceded in death by her parents and eight siblings: Jules Romeo Jackson, Joseph Baldwin Harmon, William Harmon, James Daniel Harmon, Willie Pearl Murray, Mary Lee Lewis Pollard, Virginia Geneva Harmon-Galloway, and Robert George Harmon.

Her legacy is carried forward by her children, Jomo W. Mutegi (Demetrice) and Nikki-Kenyatta Lewis; her three grandchildren, Marcelius Lewis, Gaia Antoinette Taylor, and Imari Jomo Mutegi; her brother, David Harmon Sr.; close family members Tracey McCants Lewis and Tony Taylor; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.

Luvenia Harmon Lewis lived as a testimony to purposeful service and generous love. As she often said, “I love the Lord and His people and I want to always be found in His will.” She has truly found her rest in Him.