Parthenia Lewis was born on June 25, 1931 in Indianola, Mississippi to the late Eddie Sample, Sr. and Josie Gregory. In the presence of her loving family, Mother Lewis answered the call and entered into Eternal Glory, Thursday, June 27, 2024 at her home.

Growing up in Mississippi, Parthenia would wrap her fingers in strips of torn fabric to protect her fingers while she swiftly worked to fill a fifty-pound bag of cotton in the heat of the Mississippi sun. She could wring the chickens’ neck, pluck it, clean it and then fry it up for dinner; often going without because her brothers would steal her food when she wasn’t looking. Parthenia married the love of her life, Henry Lee Lewis Sr., at 11:50 am, December 9, 1950, in the county of Coahoma, Mississippi. They cherished their love for each other and family until his untimely death in August,1988.

Parthenia was a member of East Vernon Street COGIC in Detroit, MI under the leadership of the late Supt. Dan Brown.  After moving to Akron in 1959, she became a faithful member of Holy Trinity COGIC under the leadership of the late Elder Lemon Butts, Jr. She continued to serve under her late husband, Elder Henry Lewis Sr., and then at Greater Holy Trinity COGIC under the late Supt. Clarence L. Jackson Sr., until her health failed her.

Mother Lewis was a faithful member of the Usher Board, Mother’s Board, Communion Committee, and instructor to the Young Teens.  Mother was a homemaker who loved cooking, babysitting and had a loving heart for all who entered into her life. She was a confidant, advisor and teacher to her family members, saints, friends and strangers.

Mother Lewis was preceded in death by her husband, Elder Henry Lewis Sr.; her parents, Eddie and Josie Sample; brothers, Elder Eddie Sample Jr., Elder Madison Sample and TC Sample; sisters, Irene Truitt, Evangelist Missionary Catherine Byrd and Methalee Sample; sister-in-laws, Evangelist Missionary Arene Sample and Evangelist Missionary Rose Sample.

Her memories will forever be cherished by her sister, Evangelist Missionary Josie Lindsey (Earnest) of Orange, TX; brother, Rev. Dr. Alford Sample Sr. (Emma) of Romulus, MI; sister-in-law, Evangelist Missionary Ruby Sample of Romulus, MI; brother-in-law, James Davis of East St. Louis, IL; sons, Henry Lewis Jr. (Gwen), Lester Lewis (Gail), Antonio Lewis Sr. (Paulette), Byron Lewis (Dana); daughters, Ailees Walker, Alberta Lewis, Vanessa Brown (Samuel), Loradean Clayton (Clarence) all of Akron, OH, and DeLisa Shelton (Kevin) of Columbus, OH; nephew, Darryl Truitt (Jacqueline); 27 grandchildren, and a host of great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family members and friends.