Patricia Anne Lewis

On Wednesday, November 12, 2014, Patricia Anne Lewis, 66, was joyously welcomed into her Heavenly Father's arms. Born May 29, 1948 in Sioux City, Iowa to James and LaVerne Walston, Patricia joins; her father, James Berkeley; sister, Janet Carol; and brother, Freddie Wayne in Heaven. After living somewhere over the rainbow, Patricia clicked the heels of her ruby red slippers and moved with her family from Wichita, Kansas to Albuquerque, New Mexico in December of 1956. Ever the exuberant spirit, Patricia wore her megaphone proudly as a cheerleader at Van Buren Middle School. Staying true to her Hornet heritage, bold and fearless Patricia remained, exuding school spirit and participating in Homecoming Court before graduating from Highland High School in 1966. Patricia, a devoted lifelong member of the Tridelta sorority and a member of the 1968 Homecoming Court, studied Fine Arts at the University of New Mexico. After graduating in 1973, Patricia married Michael, embarking on a lifetime of adventures. Always the artist, Patricia served on the Anchorage Arts Council in Anchorage, Alaska. It was here she fell in love with Jesus, her Lord and Savior. Forever seeking the Lord's heart, Patricia followed her husband onto the mission field ministering in Hawaii, Colorado, Idaho, and Washington State. In 1990, she found her home on the Makah Indian Reservation in Neah Bay, Washington, fervently loving those around her. Patricia returned to Albuquerque in 1999, spending fourteen years teaching Art and English and designing the Yearbook at Manzano High School. It was here that "Mama Lewis" loved and lived for her students, gifting them with her time, her talent, her joy, and her heart. Among those abundantly blessed to have shared her life include; her husband, Michael Lewis; her mother, LaVerne Walston; her sister, Bonnie Stewart, and her husband Fred; her daughter, Dena Maddox, and her husband Chris; her son, Shane Lewis, and his children Madison and Alex; her daughter, Christina Vigil, her husband Andrew, and their son Asher; and her son, Jonathan Lewis, his wife Kellie, and their children Berkeley and James. Patricia's unconditional love abounded when surrounded by her grandchildren. Berkeley, James, and Asher were her reason for living and her utmost earthly joy. Patricia was the foundation of her family and the lifeline that kept us connected to each other, to tradition, to memories, to creativity, to love, to laughter, and to our faith in the Lord. The world has lost a vibrant, loving, joyful, selfless, zealous, courageous, faithful soldier of Christ Jesus, but we find peace in the knowledge that she has found her ultimate freedom forever rejoicing with the Lord. Friends may visit the FRENCH Chapel, 10500 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112 on Monday, November 17, 2014, 5:00-7:00 pm. Services will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at 10:00 am at Mountainside Church of Christ, 12300 Indian School Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112. Burial will follow at 2:15 pm at Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 North Guadalupe Street Santa Fe, NM 87501. In consideration of Patricia's avid support of Israel, should friends desire, memorial contributions can be made to the following: The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, online at http://www.ifcj.org or by mail to P.O. Box 96105 Washington, D.C. 20090-6105; The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Inc., online at http://www.foi.org or by mail to PO Box 908 Bellmawr, NJ 08099.