Funeral service for J.
Lynn Lewis were held on
Monday, April 21, 2025, at
the First Baptist Church in
Delhi with Rev. Jeff Coleman
offi ciating.
Visitation was held at
FBC-Delhi until time of service.
Burial was in the Newton
Community Cemetery under
the direction of Cox Funeral
Home of Delhi.
Pallbearers were Tommy
Scurria, Dr. Paul Swearingen,
Jon Michael Lewis,
Matthew Lewis, David Lewis
and Tim Campbell
Honorary pallbearers
were the Voluntary Fire Department.
James Lynn Lewis was
born December 23, 1949,
and entered into God’s Glory
on April 16th, 2025. Lynn
was the fi rst son of James
Carter Lewis and Rene Jarmon,
Lewis who preceded
him in their homegoing. His
youngest brother, Greg Lane
Lewis, also entered his eternal
rest just four months ago.
Lynn is survived by his
wife of 36 years, Becky
Wilson Lewis. Their marriage
was blessed by two
sons, Andrew Colin Lewis
(Kayla) and Alex Gray Lewis
(Whitley). His remaining
brother, Randy Cleve Lewis
and wife, Lisa, blessed the
family with the fi rst Lewis
girl, Leigh Anne. Lynn
adored his niece as his own
and showered her with much
affection. He was especially
proud of her as she grew to
adulthood and found her
soul mate, Tim Campbell.
Surviving sister-in-law, Karen
White Lewis, assured the
Lewis name when she and
Greg brought Jon-Michael
and twins, Matthew and David,
into our family.
Surviving family on
Becky’s side include sisterin-
law, Gwen Lowe Miller
(Randy), nephew, Roy Miller
(Meredith); brothers-inlaw,
Joseph Lowe and nephews
Wes & Clint Lowe, and
David Lowe (Barbara) and
nephew Aaron Lowe; andniece,
Hannah Lowe McKenzie
(Jake).
Grandchildren are truly
“grand” and Lynn took such
pride and joy in his fi ve!
Nothing stirs up youthful
memories and happiness
like sharing the energy of
your little ones. Their innocence
and tender affections
renew your belief in the
ongoing purpose of life and
refreshes the rough bruises
and scars that have inevitably
been placed on one’s
soul. Grayson James Lewis,
Harper Kate Lewis, Kinsley
Rose Lewis, Janie Belle
Lewis and Adeline Grace
Lewis—though some of
your memories of “Pappy”
Lynn will fade, you will be
able to see his adoration of
you in the many photos of
your times together. As you
grow up you will understand
the meaningful life he had,
the Christ-like goodness he
showed to others and his
faith in Jesus as his Lord
and Savior. Pappy will be
looking down and loving
you from his eternal home,
Heaven.
Lynn graduated from
Delhi High School in 1968.
He was the editor of the DHS
Yearbook, “Artos”, and used
his artistic talent producing a
weekly DHS cartoon in the
Delhi Dispatch of “Walter
Bear” the school’s mascot.
He played basketball and
helped manage the team and
was a drummer for the band.
Lynn loved his years at
LSU pursuing his degree in
Architecture and Landscape
Design. His fi rst job after
graduation was a perfect fi t.
As a city designer he helped
fulfi ll the early plans of the
new Arkansas development
of Maumelle. His original
park design still stands and
is enjoyed by residents in
the early housing sites that
he worked on. He always
enjoyed going back through
the area and seeing how
Maumelle had grown in that
beautiful mountain area just
outside Little Rock.
Lynn came home to partner
with his mother when
she bought Terry’s Jewelry.
His multiple artistic talents
were put to great use when
he added a framing studio in
the back of the store. There’s
no telling how many folks
in northeast Louisiana have
their precious photos and
memorabilia framed in his
handiwork.
He had an amazing eye
for designing, remounting
and repairing jewelry. Lynn
was the match to Mamaw
Rene and brother Randy’s
business acumen. All three
enjoyed helping customers
fi nd the perfect jewelry piece
or gift item and working together
through the years
deepened their relationships.
After 67 years in business,
it became clear that
Terry’s Jewelry would close
as Mamaw Rene was getting
ready to retire. Having
served over 20 years as a
Delhi alderman, Lynn decided
to run for mayor. As
a boy, Lynn had met Louisiana
Governor Jimmie H. Davis
and it stirred his interest
in politics.
Lynn was elected and
served for 13 years. It was a
dream come true for it embodied
the things he cared
most about. It was an opportunity
to fulfi ll the vision
he had for the Town of Delhi to grow, refurbish and make improvements to meet the needs of its citizens. He longed to preserve its history along with the quaintness of “small town” life we all cherished.
Lynn felt he could better serve Delhi as a leader in the Louisiana Municipal Association. Starting out as second vice-president he later became president of the LMA and eventually president of the Southern States Municipal League.
Lynn exemplified his passion for progress and economic development serving as President of the Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance— a key organization supporting the growth and prosperity of thirteen Delta parishes. Having executive positions in these critical municipal organizations gave him a voice for Louisiana’s small towns, villages and rural communities.
Lynn’s influence was also carried through his nomination to the Louisiana National Historical Registry Board. Later chosen President, Lynn advocated for the preservation of historical homes, buildings and sites within our beautiful state.
His work for his hometown is hard to sum up in a few words. The grant funds he secured brought in millions for improvements of streets, water, sewer, lights, and playgrounds. Renovations on the Town Hall, the Delhi Civic Center and the initial plans for the Education and Recreation Center were completed.
Lynn directed Delhi’s hurricane relief efforts when Katrina devastated south Louisiana. The town opened the Civic Center for shelter and coordinated with other organizations to provide food, information and communications. Under his leadership our Delhi people were inspired to help our south Louisiana refugees in every possible way.
Lynn was never more excited than the announcement of the Con Agra/Lamb-Weston’s choice of Delhi for its new sweet potato plant. He was particularly proud of the Public Works Department employees who completed the engineering feat of five miles of water lines, tank and sewer disposal in record time. The town received the Louisiana Municipal Association’s Economic Award that year.
No man is an island and as mayor Lynn had some of the best colleagues to carry out the daily business of running the town. His successes could not have been possible without the city council, clerks, office staff, accountants, engineers, public works employees, police and volunteer firemen. He spoke often of his appreciation for them and was grateful for their hard work and abiding friendships.
Even in the rough times he learned resilience, kept his optimism and made compassion his guiding principle. I know these were some of the happiest years of his life.
Lynn has worked for Ashland University of Ohio the last ten years of his life. Ashland is a Christian private university which operates the largest correctional education program in the nation with over 4,000 incarcerated students across 120 facilities in a dozen states. Chosen as the site director for the pilot program at the Louisiana Transitional Center for Women in Tallulah, Lynn has helped dozens of women graduate with two and four year diplomas. For him, it was truly a ministry of redemption and second chances.
Ever civic-minded, Lynn was president of the Delhi Lions Club, the Jaycees and worked with the Poverty Point Festival. Lynn enjoyed his years on the Northeast LA Stock Show Board and directing the Miss Louisiana Stock Show Pageant. He was named to the Miss Louisiana Hall of Fame for his 40 years of service.
Lynn grew up in Delhi First Baptist Church and worked with the television ministry for over thirty years. There is little doubt that the teachings of Christ gave rise to his remarkable faith “that everything will work out alright.”
He had that quiet strength and calmness that comes from the assurance of personal salvation and the acceptance of the sovereignty of God.
The Bible tells us we are created in the image of our Father God, the Creator.
Lynn, too, was a creator— gifted artist, designer, visionary with a bit of a dreamer’s longing to make the world a better place. He created a life guided by his Lord and was so grateful for the earthly gifts God had allowed us all to enjoy -- the beauty of nature, great art, literature, music and history. But most of all he loved people! Like the Tin Man in his favorite movie, “Wizard of Oz,” God had given him a big heart that found joy in others. He loved to make people laugh and you rarely saw him without his huge smile. In short, he loved LIFE and gave himself fully to it.
The Lewis family acknowledges with deepest gratitude the compassion and skill shown by the St. Francis MICU physicians, nurses, respiratory and hospital staff who gave deeply of themselves in their efforts to save our beloved Lynn.
Special thanks to the Palliative Care team whose caring wisdom eased him with comfort into his eternal home.
Memorial gifts may be made to Delhi First Baptist TV or Children’s Ministry.
