Obituary of Joe Thomas Lewis

Watch the Tribute Joe Thomas Lewis February 21, 1928 - May 07, 2014 Funeral services for Joe Thomas Lewis, 86, of Lovington, NM will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 10:00 am at First Baptist Church with Bro. Harry Pittam and Bro. Ray Poskey officiating. Burial will follow at Lovington Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Kirby-Smith-Rogers Funeral Home. Joe was born on February 21, 1928 in Stephens County, OK to Thomas Edward and Cora Lillian (Lasater) Lewis and passed away at Lovington Good Samaritan Center on Wednesday, May 7, 2014. He came to Lovington in 1956, transferring from Oklahoma where he was employed by Mobil Drilling Co. and continued to work for Mobil Oil then later Baker Chemical. He retired from Baker Chemical after approximately 30 years of employment. Joe was a long time member of First Baptist Church, a member of Scottish Rite, and he was very proud of becoming a 33rd degree Mason and was a member of Lovington Masonic Lodge #46 since 1969 and member of Lovington Chapter #35 Order of Eastern Star. He enjoyed fishing and visiting with friends and family and was an avid gardener. Some of the biggest and prettiest veggies came from Joe T’s garden. He was an outgoing, fun loving and very hardworking man and was very dedicated to his family. He married Libby (Grant) Jackson April 29, 2009 in Lovington. He was preceded in death by his parents, two wives: Clytie “Pug” Brown and Betty (Yarbro) Clark; one grandson, Brian Scott Chase, two sisters: Nelda Myers and Juanita George Maxey and two brothers: Lester Lewis and Cleo Lewis. He is survived by his wife, Libby of the home; four daughters: Rose and husband Mike Chase of Lubbock, TX, Rita and husband Tony Staton of Lovington, Rebecca and husband Danny Reynolds of Lovington and Renia and husband Tyler Graham of Lovington; two brothers: Dale and wife Helen Lewis of Breckenridge, TX and Ernest and wife Susan Lewis of Arkansas; one sister: Fannie Cash of Oklahoma City, OK; ten grandchildren: Jeff & wife Kelly Chase, Sarah Staton, Mark and wife Leah Staton, Thomas and wife Jackie Staton, Daniel and wife Terri Reynolds, Danna Reynolds, Becca and husband Matt Perry, Ronnie Foreman, Jamie and husband Juan Rivera and Samantha Robatcek; seventeen great-grandchildren: Haley Chase-Kinman, Garrett and Brian Chase, Brian and Joshua Holladay, Sophia Staton, Ethan and Riley Staton, Sierra Reynolds, Kobe Salcido, Jaden Hermosillo, Brenin and Jacob Perry, Hailey Foreman, Daniel, Alex and Angelina Rivera and a host of friends. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to any charity of your choice. Visitation will be Friday, May 9, 2014 from 9:00 am until 8:00 pm with the family here from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm.