M. Stephen Lewis II

04/28/1976-07-16-2015

We had no way of knowing when we awoke this past Thursday morning that tragedy was coming in the form of a phone call telling us our beloved son, Stephen, was dead. We are heartbroken.

M. Stephen Lewis II was born April 28, 1976, and added a fourth member to our little family. Stephen was the first male grandchild on Kathie's side of the family and he enjoyed that spotlight for many years until his cousin, Cameron, came along.

Stephen grew up on Blackwater Bay and had a love of all things water related, the creek, river, bay, sound and gulf were where he swam, skim boarded, wake boarded and surfed. He was an avid skateboarder and was instrumental in the completion of the "Milton Skate Park ." He loved all things history related, appreciated and admired old cars and was an avid NPR listener. He had eclectic musical taste. He was as familiar with earlier generations of music as he was with his own.

Stephen was a 1994 graduate of Milton High School. He attained his AA degree at Pensacola Jr College before going onto St. Petersburg State College for his Mortuary Science Degree. Stephen was a compassionate fourth generation funeral director and was licensed in both Florida and Alabama. He worked most of his career with Lewis Funeral Home in Milton. He also served as a director with Radney Funeral Home in Mobile until recently moving to Leesburg, Florida, and becoming a director for Beyers Funeral Home. He would tell his mom most every day how much he loved the area and the people he was working with.

Stephen professed Christ at an early age so we are assured of where he is, waiting for our little family to be reunited again.

Stephen was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Avis and Dot Lewis; his uncle, Rodney Griffis; and most recently by his maternal grandfather, "D.K." Griffis.

Stephen is survived by his parents, Mike and Kathie Lewis of Milton; his sister, Katrina Lewis of Milton; and his grandmother, Mary Katherine Griffis of Milton. He also is survived by his aunts and uncles, Jackie (Tim) McCary of Milton, Christie (Roy) Worton of Warner Robins, Georgia, Lana (Bud) Allen of Bagdad, Janice (Don) Bowersox of Pensacola, Sam (Debby) Lewis of Pace, Cathy (Jim) Mathis of Bolingbroke, Georgia, and Mel (Anthony) Giustizia of Springhill, Florida; and his furry children, Mollie and JJ.

A time to mourn his passing and share joys of his memory will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at the First Baptist Church of Milton with Dr. David Spencer officiating. Burial will follow at the Milton Cemetery with Lewis Funeral Home directing. His cousins will be serving as his pallbearers.

Visitation was held Monday, July 20, 2015, at First Baptist Church of Milton, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Kathie and I have felt the love of our Lord through the many hearts and hands that have reached out to us when word of our loss was shared. Thank you all, and thank God for you all.

Published in Pensacola News Journal on July 21, 2015






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