Lila Antoinette Lewis

Lila Antoinette Lewis was a beloved mother, daughter, sister, godmother, friend and servant of the Lord, was called home on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at the age of 42. Lila was born to Lillie Ralph and Anthony Cain Lewis. Lila leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and an unshakable faith in God. As a child Lila, loved playing with her siblings at her father’s home on their Sega game system, playing dress-up, princess, house, and helping her mother in the kitchen. She was homeschooled along with her other siblings and obtain her G.E.D at the age of seventeen. Lila loved interpretative dance, adored flowers and cheered faithfully for the New Orleans Saints football team. She often only bought clothing based on the number of flowers or the fleur -de -lis that could be found on them. As a dedicated professional, Lila, brought her leadership, passion for helping people, and warmth wherever she worked including as an Administrative Manager for Aspen Dental, a 16-year Store Manager at Victoria’s Secret in LA, TX and MS, Ashley Furniture in MS, and David’s Bridal in MS and LA. She became known as a turnaround queen, raising the level of productivity, moral, and volumes sold at each and every location she managed. Lila’s faith was a guiding force in her life. She found her spiritual home at Connect Church in 2019 where she soon began working with the Sunday School. Her passion for working with children and young people were evident to all who knew her. She had a nurturing spirit that touched many lives, always offering a kind word or lending a helping hand. In 2024, she answered her calling as Youth Director, a role where her love for children and mentorship truly shone through. Her passion for working with young people and her love for children were evident to all who knew her. She had a nurturing spirit that touched the lives of many, always offering a kind word or lending a helping hand. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, she was a member of Full Gospel Church of God in Christ in New Orleans, a founding member of Abundant Life Full Gospel Church and later Pleasant Valley Missionary Church, where she was baptized on August 29, 2004. Lila ensured every holiday was met with love, laughter, fun, and lots of pictures. She would often host “Game Night” events, Paint and Sip parties, or birthday bashes just so she could spend time with her family and friends. Throughout her life Lila found friendships with a few special women. She loved them deeply as they became sisters to her. It was with this group of women she developed a travel bug. She even traveled to London for the sole purpose of attending a Saints game with her father. Her love of the Saints could almost be called a problem because she would yell Who Dat for no other reason than to remind people of the football team she loved. Everywhere she went, you knew two things for sure, she loved flowers of every type and was definitely a Who Dat Nation fan. Lila’s life was truly blessed when she gave birth to her son, Elijah C. S. Lewis. Elijah was the light of her life, and she poured her heart into ensuring that he was surrounded by love, faith, support, joy, and empowered to chase his dreams. Many times, Elijah would lovingly place his hands on her cheeks and turn her face in order to ensure her full attention was on him. She was a very patient mother and could often be found staring at her son in awe of the young man he was becoming. She celebrated every milestone in his life in big ways and of course her love of the Saints. We were treated to monthly milestones throughout the first year of his life with her Saints blanket backdrop, numbers, and onesies. Elijah’s first birthday party was, of course, Saints football themed. His other birthdays were over the top and expressed a love of musicals (The Greatest Showman and Hamilton), a firefighter with full gear and Paw Patrol. Each birthday was complete with a photo shoot and a keepsake book, personally put together for the son she loved dearly. His fifth birthday celebration was epic! Both Lila and Elijah were surrounded by family and friends, who traveled to be with them, they celebrated together with a Sonic the Hedgehog themed party. This party was complete with a sonic costume, backdrop, and Sonic themed gifts. Lila was always showing Elijah how special he was to her and often spoke about being Elijah’s mom was a gift. Little did we know this would be her last birthday with her precious Elijah. Her final week of life was spent sharing special moments and time with her mother, son, father, and friends. Two days before Lila went home to be with Jesus, her son Elijah went to the store with his birthday money and purchased flowers. He brought them home saying Mommy, I have a Suprise for you, orange flowers because I love you! Lila leaves behind her son Elijah C.S. Lewis; mother and stepfather, Lillie and Eugene Ralph Sr., her father and stepmother, Anthony and Lisa Lewis, bonus mom, Janice Orajiato, and paternal grandmother Bernice Hardester. She is also survived by her six brothers; Lydell Watson, Noble Orajiato, Michael (Divine) Joseph, Timothy (Ashley) Jones, Preston Ralph, and Eugene Ralph Jr.; and four sisters, Bernice Gaines, Toni Lewis, Chioma Orajiato, and Dialle (Billy Jr) Dempsey; one step-sister Tanisha Buckley; god-children Kierra Rose and Lila Brookshire; surrogate daughter Kaci Doyle; nine nephews, seven nieces and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends who will forever cherish her memory. Lila is now reunited in Heaven with her maternal grandparents Annie and Curtis Horne, her sister and brother Leila Lewis and Jared Ralph, who preceded her in death. Lila’s absence leaves a profound void in the hearts of her family, Sister friends Tanisha Jones, Felicia Brown and Courtney Doyle, other close friends, and church community. Yet, we take comfort in knowing that her faith was strong, and she is now resting in the arms of the Lord. A Celebration of Lila’s life will be held on Friday, October 11, 2024 at Connect Church, 1110 Kabel Drive Algiers, LA 70131 at 11:00 am. Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2024 from 6:00-8:00pm and on Friday, October 11, 2024 from 9:00am-11:00am. In honor of Lila, we will be dressed in blue, florals, or Saints attire. The family kindly requests that donations be made to Help A Sister Out nonprofit organization in New Orleans, LA and Connect Kids of Connect Church Algiers, in honor of her lifelong devotion to helping others and her church. Internment: Mt. Olivet Cemetery, New Orleans, LA. Arrangements by Duplain W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Ave., New Orleans, LA. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook, share memories, and condolences for the family.