Helen P. Lewis

Helen Pauline Lewis, 82, of Florence, passed away Thursday, April 17, 2014, at KU Medical Center.

She was born October 3, 1931, in Sedalia, daughter of Elbert Harrison and Jannie Alice Jones Phillips. On September 30, 1950, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Florence, she married Oliver William Lewis, who preceded her in death on October 23, 1985.

Helen was a graduate of Syracuse High School. She worked for many years as director of the Melita Day Nursery and also during tax season at Stackhouse Tax Service. She was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, where she was church historian and helped with Vacation Bible School, and the Victory Homemakers Club. She enjoyed gardening, quilting, embroidery and deer hunting.

Surviving are a daughter, Gail E. Lewis, of Florence; a brother, Jackie Phillips, of Florence; a sister, Joan Egner, of Sedalia; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Bud Phillips, Darrel Phillips and Paul Phillips; and two sisters, Neoma Twyman and Alice Kuhlman.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, with Bro. Carl Gravatt and Bro. David Griffith officiating.

Casket bearers will be Ron Phillips, Bob Phillips, Steve Phillips, Mitch Egner, Ed Howard and Tony Steele. Honorary bearers will be Patty and Dan Abney, Anna Neudorff, Bryan Kuhlman, Rita and Billy Pat McNeal, Janie Gould, Darren Phillips and Dale Phillips.

Burial will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at Heckart Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Mt. Olive Baptist Church, American Heart Association or American Diabetes Association.