Retha Lewis

(From Parker Mortuary)

Retha Lewis, age 89, passed from this life to her heavenly home on April 10, 2020. Retha was born on August 17, 1930, to the late Edwin and Juanita Carswell.

Growing up on a farm in Kansas, she had many stories and memories about riding horses bareback, watching ice chunks being cut off ponds in the winter to store in the ice house, studying by oil lamps, playing with her siblings, and helping her parents with chores. She gave her life to Jesus at an early age and served him faithfully. 

Eventually her parents moved to a farm near Quenemo, Kansas, where she met her husband-to-be, Don Lewis.

Retha graduated from the University of Kansas with a BS in nursing and worked as a registered nurse in various positions, first as a missionary in the Smoky Mountains, where she and a doctor were the only medical personnel in a 50-mile radius and where they often had to hike part of the way to get to their patients. Later her nursing took place in other locations: a missile silo, several hospitals, and as director of nursing at a nursing home. She retired from nursing in 1995.

Retha married Don Lewis on December 27, 1955, and served with him in several pastorates in the Church of God (Anderson, IN), the last being the Scotland Church of God, Carthage, MO. Together they raised six children to love and serve the Lord.

Retha was a wonderful pianist and blessed people with her singing as well, especially with her signature song, “Ten Thousand Angels.” She was also a hard worker, raising six children, growing a large garden, and preserving much of the fruits of that in addition to her nursing work. She loved flowers and planted and tended to them with zeal. 

Retha was a marvelous cook as well and made delicious meals out of simple ingredients. Her goulash, scalloped potatoes, homemade noodles, and “squished meat” became family favorites. Retha had an artistic side and expressed that through her flowers, her painting, and especially through creating hundreds of heirloom-quality embroidered pillowcases, tablecloths, runners, and tapestries, most of which she gave away to family and friends.

Retha was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Juanita Carswell, a brother, Richard Carswell, her husband of 57 years, Don Lewis, and twin daughters Mary and Margaret. 

 She is survived by her six children and their spouses, Sylva and Bob Summers, Kerk and Becky Lewis, Nina and Doug Beaver, Daniel and Jodeana Lewis, Ed and Sarah Lewis, and Beth and Ed James, all of whom are grateful for the spiritual legacy she and Don left them. She is also survived by 27 grandchildren and, at last count, 19 great-grandchildren, as well as two sisters, Lola DeForest and Verla (Darrell) LaRue, three sisters-in-law, Mary Jo Carswell, Sandy Lewis, and Jeanette Lewis, as well as many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

The family is planning a memorial service at a later time and asks that memorial gifts be made in Retha's name to the Church of God campground, Camp Sharon, via Missouri Ministries of the Church of God, PO Box 217, St. James, MO 65559.