Raymond Joseph Lewis Sr

Raymond Joseph Lewis, Sr. of New Orleans, Louisiana, passed away on September 17, 2022 at the age of 96. He was born to Rita C. Baptiste and Warren C. Lewis, on August 11, 1926 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Raymond graduated from Xavier University Preparatory High School in 1944. In 1945 he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served in Japan during WWII and received the Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation medal. After his discharge from the Army, he attended Xavier University of Louisiana where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1951. He began his career as a music teacher at Christiansburg Institute in Virginia where he met his first wife Mary Penn. From there, he also taught at Kimball High School in Kimball, West Virginia and two junior high schools, Welsh Dunbar and Keystone Eckman in West Virginia. Continuing to follow his love of music, Raymond formed his own band called the “Medallions” and performed regionally over the next few years. After obtaining a position with the U.S Postal Service, Raymond relocated to New Orleans along with his four children. In 1965 he met Shirley Mae Johnson and they were married in 1970. Together, they raised their 8 children. He soon began a career as an Independent Newspaper Dealer where over the next 35 years he built a very successful business. He retired from the Times-Picayune in 2008. In 1989 Raymond was ordained a deacon in the Archdiocese of New Orleans where he served at St. Francis De Sales, Our Lady Of Lourdes, St. Matthias, and St. Katharine Drexel. Both Raymond and Shirley served as hospital Eucharistic Ministers for many years. During his decades of service in the Archdiocese, he mentored several diaconate candidates and officiated at numerous baptisms, including those of his own grandchildren (Langston, Chelsi, Briana, Caleb C., Choie, Lawdell, McKinlee, and Caleb K.) and weddings (Tyece). He is survived by his children, Rita Arceneaux, Tamara Yilla, Dawn Collins, Raymond Lewis, Jr., Keith Moore, Randall Lewis, and David Dawson. He is also survived by one son in law; Ernest Collins, three daughters in law; Burnetta Moore, Francida Moore and Leona Lewis; 14 grandchildren, Tammy, Desirae, Raymond III, and Tiara Lewis; Tyece, Shyna, Michelle, and Torey Moore; Chelsi and Briana Collins; Sophia Yilla, Langston Lewis, and Choie Sumpter; and 16 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley J. Lewis, son Alfred Moore, and two grandsons Victor Arceneaux, Jr. and Caleb M. Collins. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, 2015 Louisiana Avenue on Monday, September 26, 2022 at 10:00 am. Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond will preside at the Funeral Mass. Con-celebrants will be Monsignor John Cisewski, Father Lambert Lein and Father Victor Cohea. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am. A reception will follow the mass and burial at Holy Ghost Hall. Interment: Mount Olivet Cemetery. Arrangements by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Avenue. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the guestbook.