Obituary of Marie Patterson Lewis

Marie Patterson Lewis , age 88, of Lynchburg passed away peacefully Sunday, September 8, 2013, at home after a courageous battle with a recent illness. Born July 3, 1925, Marie grew up on a farm in Bethel Springs, TN. She graduated from Bethel Springs High School and completed coursework at West Tennessee Business College. She was called to work at the Y-12 Nuclear Installation in Oakridge, TN in 1943 in support of the Manhattan Project, the first nuclear project in the United States during World War II. There she met her future husband, Robert "Bob" Lewis and married on September 15, 1951. After a brief period in Idaho Falls, ID, they moved to Lynchburg in the fall of 1955 when B & W opened the Lynchburg Research Center at Mt. Athos. Marie was tirelessly devoted to her family and took great joy in raising her four children and watching her grandchildren grow up. She was a founding member of the Lynchburg Suburban Woman's Club and a member of Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church where she taught preschool Sunday School for over 20 years. In addition to raising her family, Marie worked in various capacities throughout her years in Lynchburg. She was a teacher at Phillips Business College, owned and operated her own Pennyrich retail business, served as recording secretary for the Tumor Registry at Virginia Baptist Hospital, and worked as a tax preparer for H & R Block. Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Fox and Vivian Patterson; a brother, Cletis "Pat" Patterson; and her beloved husband, Bob, who lost his battle with cancer in 2002. She is survived by her sister, Bonnie Martinez (Hector) of San Antonio, TX; a son, Greg Lewis (Sharon) of Lynchburg; daughters, Beverly Lomax (Ronny) of Knoxville, TN, Barbara Hawks (Tony) of Lynchburg and Kathryn Buzzoni (Jeff) of Charlottesville; grandchildren, Britney Rowles (Michael) of Lynchburg, Brandolyn Ensor (Jon) of Charlotte, NC, Shelly Lomax and Justin Lomax of Knoxville, TN, Helen Buzzoni and Dylan Buzzoni of Charlottesville, Brad Hawks (Jessica ) of Fort Campbell, KY, Heather Hawks Marks (Stephen) of Evington and Amanda O'Neill of Alliance, OH; great-grandchildren, Zelie and Colton Rowles, Raleigh Ensor, Katie and Ethan Hawks; and a host of nieces, nephews and their families. She also leaves behind her beloved dog, Gracie; and special friends for over 50 years, John and Mary Dillon Cure and Jo Gumprich. The family deeply appreciates the loving care and compassion received by staff members of Centra Health Cardiovascular Associates, Lynchburg Hematology Oncology Associates, Lynchburg General Hospital, Centra Hospice, Joyce Jefferson of Elite Care and Lindsey Hahn during her illness. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, September 13, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Family will receive friends at Diuguid Funeral Home, Wiggington Road, from 5 until 7 PM. Thursday, September 12, 2013. Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, The American Cancer Society, or Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Marie's honor.