Nelia Hamlin Lewis

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” Psalm 27:1a

Mrs. Nelia Hamlin Lewis passed peacefully at home Friday, November 10, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. Age 96 years. She was born November 11, 1926, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Lou and Elizabeth Hamlin. She was the sixth of ten children. Nelia accepted Christ at an early age, was baptized and a faithful member of Lighthill Missionary Baptist Church. She graduated from Central Colored High School (Now Booker Washington High School) in Shreveport, Class of 1944.

She married Napoleon Lewis, and they were the parents of seven children. Nelia worked at St. Mary’s Hospital of Saginaw for many years as a transporter in the Surgery Department. She retired in 1991 to help care for her ailing mother in Texas.

Nelia was a strong woman of faith, who loved life, and enjoyed reading, studying the Bible, traveling, sewing, gardening, attending sporting events, and spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends. She was an avid Sunday School student and loved worshiping at her home church, Truevine Missionary Baptist Church, until her health began to fail. She touched the lives of many through her acts of kindness and sweet attention to those in need.

Nelia believed strongly in the pursuit of dreams and instilled in her children to always do their best. Education, and having a relationship with God was also stressed in the home. She has had a special connection with Saginaw Valley State University since 1971, when her husband, Napoleon, began working there in the Campus Security Department. Years later, four of her seven children matriculated and went on to work at SVSU.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her children: Debra Lewis of Midland, Michigan, Averetta “Ava” Lewis, David (Lisa) Lewis of Saginaw, Michigan, and Alberta (Cecil) Lee, Cleveland, Ohio. Grandchildren include: Shalynda Rutherford, Midland, Michigan, Albert E. Watson, III, Lavon Allen Watson, Carla Johnson, Los Angeles, California, Tristin (Marci) Watson, Chandler, Arizona, Jenel Lewis and Ashley Lewis of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Cecil II “CJ” (Jocelyn Smith) Lee, Greensboro, North Carolina, Cameron D. Lee, Medford, Massachusetts, Sophie Lewis, Fenton, Michigan, Tiffany (Vernon) Gaiter, Kenny and Camille Lewis, Saginaw, Michigan, and Brave (Veronica) Sikangila, Livingstone, Zambia. Great-Grandchildren: Alisha, Ashlyn, Aydan, Chance, Tristin, Aubree, Anaya, Jamie, Cypress Rose, Dominick, Anthony, Bella, Elena, Astrid, D.J., Jordan, and Samantha, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Nelia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Napoleon Lewis, Sr., three of her children, Albert Watson Jr., Rosalind Watson, and Napoleon Lewis, Jr., her parents, Lou and Elizabeth Hamlin, grandson, Justin (Jay) Watson, her nine siblings, Freddie, Druscilla, Earle, Arnold, Ruby, Ruth, Alonia, L.C., Alberta, one great-granddaughter, Jasmine Janay “Miracle” Rutherford, brother-in-law, Henry Francis, Jr. and godson, Michael A. Finney.

Special thanks to our relatives, friends, SVSU family, Covenant Home Care & Hospice, and Dr. Veronica Lorenzo for your care, concern, and heartfelt sympathy during this difficult time. Our special gratitude to Ms. Lupe Flores, Ms. Rosario Luna, and Ms. Keisha Coleman, Mom’s caregivers. We appreciate the care you provided for our mother. Our deepest gratitude to Mom’s special longtime friends, Mrs. Estelle Williams and Mrs. Gladys Humes. Thank you, Pastor Paul E. Broaddus and the Truevine Church Family, Pastor Robert B. Corley, Jr. and the Prince of Peace Church Family, Mr. Ivan E. Phillips and the staff at Paradise Funeral Chapel, for your thoughtful attention and outstanding service.

God Bless you all, we love you! 

The Family of Mrs. Nelia H. Lewis