DECEMBER 3, 1941 ~ MAY 16, 2019

Laura Bell Sauls- Lewis, 77, was born December 3, 1941 in Wayne County to the late
Deacon Columbus Lewis and Mother Clara Lewis. She departed this earthly life on
May 16, 2019 in Goldsboro, NC.
She was preceded in death by her husband James Lewis, sisters: Minnie Lewis-
Parker, Clara Harris, stepmother, Minster Glady J. Lewis and granddaughter
Jasmine Carter.
Laura was educated in Wayne County Public School system and received her high
school diploma from Norwayne Training School, Fremont NC in 1960. She also
attended The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wayne Community
College, Goldsboro, NC and Nash Technical Institute, Rocky Mount, NC,
successfully completing all Detention Officer prerequisites.
Laura began to serve her government dutifully with a kind and gentle hand. She
would become known and loved by many in the community as a Detention Officer
working for the Sheriff’s Department of Wayne County. Laura’s work often
extended into the community as many would stop by her residence to inquire or
relay information about their family member that happened to be held at the
detention center. Laura retired from Wayne County Detention Center with 25 years
of service as the senior Detention Officer. She received numerous accolades for her
community service.
She accepted Christ into her life and joined Saints Delight United Holy Church
where she faithfully attended until her health began to decline.
Laura will be remembered most for her unselfish giving nature, her humorous
spirit and most of all, her humbleness. Everyone she touched found her to be kind,
sincere and above all trustworthy.
In Laura’s first marriage to the late Junius Sauls three children were born. They
became the best of friends in life. As years past, Laura later united in marriage to
the late James Lewis. They were blessed to have a blended family as the only
important thing to their children was their love, devotion and happiness as they
grew together. No one could have asked for a more loving and supportive family.

Laura leaves to cherish her memories; seven children, Eric Sauls of Dumfries, VA
- La Tanya Sauls, Lashaunda (Jason) Carter of Pikeville, NC; Reginald (Angela)
Sauls of Greenville, NC; Edna Reid of Fremont, NC; Jimmy (Brenda) Lewis of
Goldsboro, NC; Steve (Shelia) Lewis and Gregory (Beyanka) Lewis of Pikeville,
NC. Three sisters, Tempie Thompson and Winnie Fuller, both of Goldsboro, NC,
Thelma (Eugene) Yelverton of Pikeville, NC; one brother, James (Wanda) Lewis
of Goldsboro, NC; Two brothers-in-law, Jerry Parker of St. Albans, NY and James
Harris of Goldsboro, NC. Three sisters-in-law, Madie (Walter) Hite of Goldsboro,
Dorothy (Howard) Artis of Fremont and Ollie (Bayron) Reid of Goldsboro, NC;
Five brothers-in-law, William (Marian) Lewis of New Jersey, Henry (Luretha)
Lewis of Goldsboro, Alvester (Herlene) Lewis of Fremont, Cleveland (Jacqueline)
Lewis of Raleigh and Leroy (Peggy) Lewis of Charlotte.
Fourteen grandchildren, Courtney, Ashley, Tori, Eric, Jay, Amelia, Zion, Janae,
Jennelle, Ronnesha (Rashad), Korie, Jalisa, Cierra and Mariya; seven great-
grandchildren: Jada, Cali, Cameron, Haelyn, Giselle, Rashad Jr. and Brayden.
Laura helped raise the six kids of her late sister-in-law Jean Sauls-Reid: Ray Reid
of Goldsboro, NC; Harold (Frances) Reid of Portsmouth, VA; Sandra Winn of
Goldsboro, NC; Angela Parks of LaGrange, NC; Maxine Patrick of Goldsboro,
NC; Franklin (Theresa) Reid of Jacksonville, FL and the late Ronnie Reid.
Laura leaves a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and devoted friends and
close friend Dorothy Jones.