Ted was born July 3, 1956, to Belton Young Lewis and Katie Jones Lewis O’Brian in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. He was an active member of Morgan Chapel Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and as the music director until his health prevented him from doing so. Ted was an avid outdoorsman; he loved hunting, fishing, and gardening. He enjoyed woodworking using his talent to build birdhouses, toolboxes, or whatever anyone wanted. For many years, Ted worked for 4-County Electric Power Association. He started out as a lineman; at his retirement, he was manager of district operations. Ted dearly loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them; especially his grandchildren. He answered the call of his country by serving in the Mississippi Army National Guard for 14 years.
Ted is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Jamie Morgan Lewis; daughters, Jima Lewis Branning (Jay) and Katie Lewis Collins (Justin) all of Sturgis; and his mother, Katie O’Brian of Jacksonville, Florida. One of his greatest joys was being “PaPaw“ to his five grandchildren: Ainsley Kate Branning, Baylor Harvey Branning, Jordan Asher Collins, Kaiden Hollingshed, and Rylie Collins. He also leaves behind his sisters, Donna Jones (Lonnie) and Sandra Royal (Van); in addition to a host of loving nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Belton Young Lewis; his step-father, S. E. O’Brian; maternal grandparents, Virginia and Bilbo Jones; and his mother and father-in-law, Augusta Mae Morgan and Sam Pole Morgan.
Serving as pallbearers are Zach Faver, Baker Harrington, Brett Morgan, Bryce Morgan, Josh Morgan, Rob Morgan, and John McKenzie. Honorary pallbearers are Jeremy Beverly, Walt Harrison, Howie Johnson, Ike Langley, Rocky Morgan, and Sam Morgan. Memorials in honor of Ted may be given to Morgan Chapel Building Fund, c/o Wayne Carpenter, Sturgis, MS 39769.
