Jerry D. Lewis , the son of the late Preston Lewis, Sr. and Ernestine Lewis, was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma on July 12, 1951. He accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of the First Baptist Church Central in Okmulgee, where he actively served in various auxiliaries and committees. Dr. Lewis graduated from Dunbar High School in Okmulgee in 1969 and then attended Northeastern State University for one year before joining the U.S. Army. During his six-year tour he served in Vietnam, Germany, and stateside.

In 1978, he acknowledged his calling as a minister of the gospel, pursued and completed the required curriculum and received his B.A. Degree in Religion and Psychology from Bishop College in Dallas, Texas. While attending Bishop College, he also made the Dean's Honor List. Pastor Lewis furthered his studies at Virginia Union University School of Theology receiving a Master of Divinity Degree in 1986 and served on the Executive Council for the student body. Still in pursuit of higher education, he later earned his Doctorate of Ministry Degree from the University of Central America in Kansas City, Missouri.

In 1985, Pastor Lewis was called to pastor the Macedonia Baptist Church in Heathsville, Virginia. While serving as pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church, he was also active in a number of organizations and the Virginia School System. Some of them include: Northern Neck Baptist Association, Northumberland County NAACP, American Heart Association, Fairfield Elementary PTA, Economic Planning Commission for the Northern Neck of Virginia, Adjunct Faculty at Rappahannock Community College of Warsaw, VA; Substitute Teacher in Westmoreland, Richmond and Northumberland Counties; and he assisted in determining the criteria and application for the Northern Neck Baptist Association Scholarship Fund for recipients.  He was awarded "Outstanding Young Men of America" during the years 1986 and 1987.

Pastor Lewis later returned to his home state serving faithfully at Morning Star Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma before being called to New Hope Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Dr. Lewis completed his mission of ministry at New Hope on October 18, 1992. The Lord inspired, directed and guided him to organize the Abyssinia Missionary Baptist Church in Oklahoma City where he is presently serving in the capacity of Pastor. Dr. Lewis was active in a number of Christian organizations on the local, state and national level. In 1991, Dr. Lewis served as Chairman of the Transportation of the 86th Session of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education. He is a member of the Concerned Clergy for Spiritual Renewal in Oklahoma City and a member of the Baptist Ministers Association.

A loving Pastor, Husband, Father and friend, Dr. Jerry D. Lewis, in his 67th year, transitioned from his earthly house to live in celestian habitation on  Monday evening, December 3, 2018.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, James Lewis, Linda K. Johnson, Kenneth Ray Lewis, Wilbert Lewis, Albert Lewis, Clarice Lewis, Pauline Brinkley, Sterling Lewis and Preston Lewis, Jr.

Those that wait on the Lord;  His devoted wife, Gail Denise Lewis, of the home in Midwest City;  his chilren, Tarana N. Barrera, San Antonio, Texas, William Lewis, Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Renika Veales [Xavier], Midwest City, Oklahoma, Chinita Scott, and Brandon McFadden, both of Oklahoma City;  his grandchildren, Viance L. Barrera, Vernis L. Barrera, Vanae L. Barrera, William Lewis II, Carlos Douglas Rollins II, Ja'Nae Tashae Veales, Javier Dwan Veales, Karl Anthony McFadden, Brandon McFadden Jr., Aricka McFadden, Zykara McFadden, Jahbez McFadden, Jahbez McFadden, Jerimiah McFadden, Jada McFadden, and Jaebree McFadden, Kashmir Whittaker and Au'brianna Whittaker; a host of great-grandchildren; his siblings, Helen Figures, Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Lurlene Owens, Upland, California, Iretha Rice [Bees], Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Herbert Lewis, Sr., Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Leonard Lewis, Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Steven Ray Lewis, San Antonio, Oklahoma, Cheryl Cooks, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Derrek L. Lewis [Lana], Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; sisters-in-law, Amanda Lewis, Geneva Lewis, and Charlie Mae Lewis; and brother-in-law, Leroy Brinkley; along with a caravan of other relatives, church family and friends.

You may visit Dr. Lewis, as he slumbers in peaceful repose on Tuesday, December 11, 2018, in the sanctuary of The Prospect Baptist Church, 2809 North Missouri Avenue in Oklahoma City, beginning at 2:00 PM, followed by a Wake beginning at 6:30 PM, where friends, family and colleagues may share memories and remarks until 8:00 PM.

The Celebratory Worship Service honoring the life of Reverend Dr. Jerry D. Lewis will commence on Wednesday morning, December 12, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. in the most holy sanctuary of The Saint John Missionary Baptist Church, 5700 North Kelley Avenue in Oklahoma City.  Dr. M. L. Jemison, Senior Pastor is the gracious host Pastor, Dr. Lee E. Cooper, Jr., Pastor of The Prospect Baptist Church will Preside and Dr. Gregory Fisher, Pastor of The Mount Herman Baptist Church of Richmond, Virginia will render the Eulogistic Message.

The Visitation will culminate on Wednesday morning, beginning at 8:45 AM until the worship hour at the Church.

The Christian Committal will follow the service in the Okmulgee Cemetery, Highway 75, south edge of the City, Oklahoma.