Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Claudia Jones Lewis

HOUSTON – On Jan. 14, 2023, Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church of Houston, Tex., celebrated the life and legacy of Claudia Jones Lewis affectionately referred to by many as “Mother Lewis”. Mother Lewis turned 95 on Jan. 19, 2023. The celebration consisted of a service and an afternoon luncheon for Mother Lewis. 

During the divine worship experience, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee presented Mother Lewis with a proclamation and a flag that was flown over the capitol in Washington D.C. 

Lewis also received proclamations from the mayor’s office, the Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis of Precinct 1 and the Houston Pastors Ministerial Association. 

Videos of birthday salutations were sent in by the Southwestern Union President Carlos Craig and Southwest Region Conference President Carlton Byrd, D.Min. The accomplishments of Mother Lewis were read and noted in the proclamations presented from each city and government official. 

Her accomplishments were inspiring. She finished high school at the age of 16 from Jack Yates High School and attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, La. She became a registered nurse, obtained a degree in commercial and residential real estate and received a degree in property appraisal. 

She has been a trail blazer, entrepreneur, mother, aunt, spiritual leader and so much more. The many accomplishments that she achieved in her life were incredible. She married the love of her life and, after visiting the Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church, she left Catholicism and joined the church where she is still an active member. She has held several local church offices, as well as the organizer of the Southwest Region Conference deacons and deaconess. Mother Lewis is a living testimony of what happens when a person surrenders their life to God. According to Mother Lewis, “if you want to live as long as I do, love the Lord like me!”

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By Robert Norwood