Edna Shepherd Lewis
We celebrate the life of Edna Flora Shepherd Lewis. Born on July 27th, 1923, she transitioned to heaven on December 8, 2022. Edna was born to Willie Jay (Bill) Shepherd and Viola King Shepherd. Edna spent her youth on a farm in the Swiss community of Yancey County, North Carolina. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Lewis and sister Opha Hyelmon. She is survived by her children: Danny Lewis (Christine Kasner) and Nancy Dishner (Harold); grandchildren: Aaron Garland (Kimberly), Jennifer Merritt, Bradley Dishner and Allen Barnett (Julie); great-grandchildren: Olivia Merritt, Stella Barnett, Zeb Barnett, Quintin Crumly (Casey) and Justin Crumly; great-great-grandchildren: Reagan, Maverick and Charlotte Crumly.
She is remembered as a masterfully skilled teacher. She taught for 44 years, always in rural schools. She began teaching at the age of 18 in a two-room schoolhouse in the shadow of Mount Mitchell, in Yancey County. She completed the first two years of college at Asheville-Biltmore College. In 1947 she married Ralph Lewis and moved to Erwin, Tennessee. She completed a BS degree in education at East Tennessee State University, and taught in Unicoi County at Elm Street, Rock Creek and Love Chapel Elementary Schools.
Her classroom is remembered as a place of magic and fascination. Each bulletin board, display and learning center was created with her artistic touch. She personalized learning long before that term was discussed in teacher training. She intuitively knew the needs of her students whether that was in teaching literacy, helping them understand the beauty of the world around them, ensuring that they had clean clothes or providing for other basic needs. She organized and directed a bedazzling array of school programs, parades, assemblies, pageants, plays and musical extravaganzas. She was a talented self-taught seamstress. Through her tireless effort every child had the necessary costume and attire. She introduced generations of Unicoi County students to the “rites of spring” with her Maypole Festivals. She taught her students to believe they had value and worth. For her contribution as an educator, she was recognized as East Tennessee State University’s Outstanding Alumna in 1995. She was nominated and approved by the Legislature of the State of Tennessee to be a Tennessee Colonel.
Edna spent most of her life in Erwin, moving to her daughter’s home in Jonesborough for her last years. There she was beautifully cared for by “angel nurses” Tammy Carver and Deborah Johnson. She was often visited and cared for by Sharon Stone and Amanda Carey Lockhart. In her last days she was lovingly assisted by Amedysis Hospice.
She was a woman of faith. She was a devoted member of First Baptist Church, Erwin, serving in various volunteer roles. She also had great affection for the Calvary Baptist Church, Erwin congregation, which was kind to her in her later years.
The family will celebrate her life with a private service. With appreciation for all kind thoughts, they request no food or visits. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
12/20/2022
Tanya Foster Bradford
Mrs. Lewis,
I was busy signing and addressing Christmas cards when I took a break to scroll through Facebook to kill a few million more brain cells just as I had earlier that morning. I saw your picture roll up the screen, and I knew without looking what must have transpired. I ran my thumb down the screen until I saw your smiling face in front of me, and when I did stopped and started to cry.
I cried for Ms. Nancy, for the rest of your family, for the world's loss of an amazing teacher, but most of all I cried for myself having lost such a guiding influence of childhood. Then I stopped for a moment and remembered the many stories and adventures you regaled me and my classmates with in our third, fifth, and sixth grades. I remembered you telling of your sister's affection and mastery of crosswords, and how I used that to foster my love and self improvement of the puzzles. I recalled the trips to the Middle East and New Orleans to visit your son and thinking how lucky you were to have visited there. I reminisced the little art projects, the May Days, the exercise albums, the square dance albums, the fun you would have with Ms. Jackson and Ms. Elliott, and how much you missed Ralph. I didn't know that kind of love then, but it was nonetheless evident that even with all your travels and family you still had an immeasurable hole in your heart from his loss.
Most of all I remembered that you were not ashamed of your faith. As one of your students in the 1980s it never occurred to me how quickly the world was overtaking education. I had no idea that when you read a Bible story to us that you were probably jeopardizing your career. I just knew that I couldn't wait until you brought out that story book and began reading from it. I most certainly knew that I was the most special student because I had told you that your book was too old (you had had to pick up loose pages and replace them on numerous occasions) and that you could use mine, and you did!
Then as I remembered these and so many other wonderful memories from the three years I had under you, I noticed that my tears of sadness stopped. I found myself chuckling to myself, even aloud at times! I found myself happy that you had led a long and influential life, and I found myself happy that God had called you home so you could see Ralph again. The biggest smile was for me and the fact that I had been honored to have you in my life.
I know your family is going to miss you, but I think it's safe to say that they have come to the same realizations I have. Today's teachers would do themselves a service to model their careers after you. Today's young ladies would be wise to carry themselves with the deportment you did. Goodness knows the little girls coming along could use a healthy dose of Edna S. Lewis in their lives. I had three doses, and will forever remain grateful.
Tanya Foster Bradford
LCES 1977-88
Nancy, Danny and families. Your mom was such a remarkable woman. She was an inspiration to everyone who ever had the privilege to know her.
Edna never lost her beautiful smile or her ability to laugh at remembered stories about PTA escapades at Rock Creek School.
I will miss you dear friend. Rest In Peace.
12/17/2022
Beverly Buchanan
Prayers for your family. Mrs Lewis was my teacher at Rock Creek, She had a great impact on my life throughout my elementary life. I'm sure she will be missed by many. RIP MRS. LEWIS
12/13/2022
Jeanne Claire Saucer
Edna’s friendship and advice guided and inspired me as I developed my teaching practice. I often tried to emulate her steady demeanor and grace. Whenever I consciously thought about Edna and what she might do in a situation, there was a positive outcome for my students. Like all great people, her influence lives on and will continue to make the world a finer place.
12/13/2022
Sue Weishar and Brad Dude
Dear Danny and Chris and Nancy and Harold and all of Edna’s family and friends"
You have Brad and my deepest condolences. I had the pleasure to get to know Edna through her frequent visits to Danny and Chris’s home in New Orleans for Jazz Fest over the years. Edna was always a joy to be with and was always so amazingly present to whomever she spoke with"she gave you her total attention"a great gift! Edna was always so sincerely eager to hear how one was doing. I, too, loved hearing her funny and insightful stories.
It is clear from the comments posted here that Edna Lewis touched so many lives throughout her long life"some in profound and wondrous ways. What a life well lived! God bless you, Edna. I am so thankful for the gift of you!
12/12/2022
Nick & Nancy Buckner, Burnsville, N.C.
Rest in peace my dear cousin. We loved you so, you will be missed.
12/12/2022
Dwight McInturff
I want to tell you about Mrs Lewis. In 1958 I was a 5th grade student in Mrs Lewis’s class. I was a troubled student, I had been moved from 4th grade to 5th grade because the 4th grade teacher told me, she did not want me back.
There I was, 5th grade, with Mrs Lewis, a kid that was failing. I struggled that first 6 weeks, but Mrs Lewis never gave up on me. I began to realize that she cared. I could not believe a teacher cared.
At the end of that first six weeks I got my report card. All C’s. Mrs Lewis wrote on the back of my report card these words:
“Dwight is a good student, he can do better. I love Dwight”!
I could not believe these words, my parents had never told me that.
Mrs Lewis cared about me. I began to become the person she saw. I finished 5th grade with A’s and B’s.
I finished high school as a honor student, always thinking of her.
Today I’m 75 and I still have that report card on my desk. All these years I have tried to become the person she saw in me.
I loved Mrs Lewis , 30 years ago, I encountered her in Johnson City. My 9 year old son was with me. I introduced my son to Mrs Lewis and told him this story. Mrs Lewis and I both cried and I told her how she had changed my life.
I have loved Mrs Lewis from the day I looked at that report card and I have loved her every day since.
She was a great teacher that was strict but she wanted the best for her kids. Sometimes a teacher may not think they are “getting through” to a troubled kid but they are!
My wife had a poster in our home that said:
“LOVE - When they deserve it the least, They Need It The Most”!
Today, I will once again, look at that report card, read those words and remember the love she showed a kid that did not deserve such kind words. I saw what I was, she saw what I could become.
Rest In Peace, Mrs Lewis, I love you…….
Dwight McInturff
I was a caregiver to Edna while she resided in her Daughters home in Erwin then later when she returned home. Even though she was my patient she also cared for me. I was in a hard place myself. She brought happiness to my life at that time. She taught me recipes and was so good to me. We laughed so much. I loved her dearly. I really wish I could have visited with her the past few years. I thought of her as I did my Grandmother as being a true angel on earth. My deepest condolences to each of her Family members. I know she will be missed by all. You all should feel proud that you made sure she was given the best care.
12/10/2022
Christine Murphey
I'm glad I met you, Edna Lewis
12/10/2022
Donna Williams Cantrell
My fifth grade teacher at Rock Creek about 60 years ago. Ms. Lewis and my mother, Gale Bradford Williams, we’re buddies. Ms. Lewis read to us every day after lunch and lead us to perform programs throughout the year. She was certainly memorable.
Our sincere condolences to Danny and Nancy and family,We are so sorry to hear about the loss of Aunt Edna, Please know Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you, I feel sure Uncle Ralph,Ma Annie,and Mama(Ruth) were there to welcome her .We love you all,May God bless and keep you in the days ahead. sincerely. The Family of Ruth Edwards
12/10/2022
Becky "Rosie" Conley
I remember how much fun we had on Sunday nights at Hardee's after church. You said you got such a kick seeing my Mom laugh. I really looked forward to our time together. My nickname of Rosie is because of you. Love you, Rosie.
What a life!!!!!!! She was my teacher at Rock Creek. Edna, I want you to know that I became a darn good Engineer because of you and others like you. Because of that, I have had a darn good life too!!! I was so lucky to have had you as a part of my life!! May God give the eternal rest you so richly deserve!!!
I went to Rock Creek but due to overcrowded classrooms I missed my year with Mrs. Lewis. But she was always kind to me and in later years I became a proud member of the Unicoi County Board of Education. I was privileged to see her shortly afterwards and I will never forget her good sound advice. She said “David no matter what the issue is that comes up always vote, never abstain. Let the people who voted for you know where you stand.” I’ll never forget that as long as I live. She was a wise and wonderful teacher I was blessed to know. RIP Mrs. Lewis.
12/09/2022
Gregory William Day
One of My Favorite Teachers when I went to Rock Creek Elementary School. Her Legacy is that She helped Her students learn and put the FUN in That Learning! She built confidence in our school work that would carry Us to a Better Life in Our Futures!
12/09/2022
Gregory William Day
What a Legacy! I was a better student because of her steady hand and guidance! I had a successful life working as an Engineer and traveled to many countries and experienced many cultures around the world! Thanks to Her guidance and Love for Me and all of the students she taught!
12/09/2022
John Koeferl and Vicki Judice
What a shining light Edna was! We very much value the numerous Jazz Fest visits Edna made to New Orleans to visit her beloved Danny and Chris and all the other times we were fortunate enough to visit with her. She always had a group of admirers around her, listening to her tales about life in Tennessee or humorous stories such as the time her car ended up in a ditch after bringing it in for a routine oil change (our personal favorite story of hers!)
Edna always made us feel special and loved and was always curious to know about how everything in New Orleans was going and about how all her friends there were faring. She was a woman of great caring!
Edna's remarkable persistence in overcoming the cancer that threatened her own life so many years ago, and her strength in living with physical disability with a robust spirit have been an inspiration to everyone that knew her. This was an extraordinary achievement.
We will miss Edna so much but will always treasure the memory of her - her life, love and laughter - in our hearts.
John and Vicki
Edna, Kudos to the person who wrote your obit. I think I know the author(s) and it's the best I have ever read. Must be a chip(s) off the old block. It is totally refreshing to witness younger generations learning from their elders in such a manner. I just hope they are able pass these abilities on to the next generations.
