Nina Harwell Lewis

LEWIS, NINA Nina Harwell Lewis Mrs. Harry J. Lewis, 99, of Waco passed away August 31, 2004 at her home. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 2 at Oakwood Cemetery with Rev. Tom Robbins officiating. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 1 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey in Waco. Mrs. Lewis was born in Eddy, Texas on August 26, 1905. She was the first child of Mattie Wilkirson Harwell and J. Cleve Harwell, the first grandchild of Henrietta Beard Wilkirson and Dillard James Wilkirson, and the granddaughter of Priscilla Bowers Harwell and Daniel W. Harwell. She graduated with honors from Baylor University in 1927. She later attended Columbia University in New York and University of Texas at Austin for advanced studies. She taught school in Orange, Texas for three years. She married Harry Johnson Lewis in Waco on November 10, 1930, which was the 50th wedding anniversary of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Wilkirson. She and her husband made their home in Waco throughout their married life. Mr. Lewis was the owner and president of Harry J. Lewis Company. She devoted her life to her family, to her friends, to her church and to her community. She assisted her daughter, Jean Lewis McReynolds as leaders of the First Ladies of the First National Bank of Waco for more than 20 years, traveling throughout the United States, Canada, and the world. Mrs. Lewis joined Austin Avenue United Methodist Church of Waco in November, 1930 and remained an active member throughout her lifetime. She served as head of the Cradle Roll Department for seven years and as a member of the Administrative Board and the Finance Committee several times. She was active in her community, having served in many positions with Waco’s Community Chest, including a member of its Board of Trustees. She was Vice-President of Waco’s first Symphony Association, as well as Vice-President and Life Member of the Y.W.C.A. She served as a member of the Waco School Board. She was President, Trustee and Chairman of Trustees of the Hamilton House throughout the fifty years the House was operated as a gift to the women of Waco. She answered the call for experienced teachers and taught in the Waco Independent School District at Provident Heights Elementary and Parkdale Elementary Schools. She was a member of the Henry Downs Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was a former member of the Thursday Study Club and the Belle Fleur Garden Club. She was selected as Woman of the Year by the Altrusa Club of Waco in 1986. She was preceded in death by her husband Harry J. Lewis on April 2, 1966, her brother Dillard W. Harwell, and her sisters Bertha. H. Behringer and Bobbie D. H. Amerson. She is survived by her daughter Jean Lewis McReynolds of Waco; her grandson Harry Lewis McReynolds of Waco; her sister Hollis H. Baize of Stamford; sister-in-law Alice M. Harwell of Waco; cousins Roberta H. Bailey and husband A.W. Bill of Waco, Marie H. Bowen and husband A.E. Bo of Little Rock, Ark., and W. Douglas Barton of Franklin, Tenn.; nieces Jerry Ann Howard of Stamford, Susan H. Drew of Wilson, Wyo., Mary Lou Amerson and Betty Sue Amerson, each of Cameron; and nephews David W. Harwell of Longview and Spencer D. Baize of Stamford. The family expresses its heartfelt thanks to Eva Sisneros for her care and devotion. Pallbearers will be David W. Harwell, A.W. Bill Bailey, Wesley W. Bailey, Hatch M. Bailey, Bradford H. Bowen, A.E. Bo Bowen and Spencer D. Baize. Honorary pallbearers are Roy W. Bailey and W. Douglas Barton,. Her family suggests that memorials be made to Austin Avenue United Methodist Church, the R. B. Hoover Branch of the Waco-McLennan County Library, or Vanguard College Preparatory School. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY