Douglas Reginald Lewis, 81, a native of the Oakwood Ave-New Town Community of Lumberton, N.C., died recently in Atascadero, Calif. He was the son of Douglas Lewis Sr. and the late Atlanta (A.B.) Bryan Lewis, a noted and highly respected educator in the Lumberton school system, and one the first black employees of the Lumberton Recreation Department and active in the Presbyterian Church USA on the state and national level.

Lewis was reared and nurtured by a family of scholars and educators. After completion of high school, while his mother was a faculty member at Hayswood High School, he was mentored and encouraged to enter college at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania by the late Dr. J.H. Hayswood. After graduation from Lincoln University he eventually located to California where he established residence. A scholar and intellect in his own way, Lewis was a professional writer, editor and photographer. He gained the respect and confidence of the Atascadero Community by being appointed to several civic and cultural boards. He was the chairman of the Historical Society of Atascadero.

Final rites and burial will be in the Bethany Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Lumberton following services in California.

Surviving are Felix Farrar of Atlanta, Addie Bryan Jackson of St. Louis, Mo., Sarah Bryan of New Castle, Del., Eurania Young of Charlotte, and Marcia Ross and Ronald Ross, both of Dallas.

Arrangements by McMillian Funeral Home in Lumberton.

Paid Obituary