Bettie Priest Lewis

Bettie P. Lewis, 83, of Decatur, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 2, 2014, at her home. Mrs. Lewis was employed as a long distance operator at Southern Bell and later with the Georgia Highway Department, from which she retired. She was a member of the Brockett Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. A native Atlantan, Mrs. Lewis is the daughter of Willie Arlene Esther (Billie) Templeton Williams Priest Cochran and Silas Priest. Following her parents' divorce, she was raised by her parents Billie and Paul Hurst Cochran. She was preceded in death by her parents, by her sister Irene Williams Burnett and husband Roy Burnett, and by her great granddaughter Hannah Ashley Kimball. Mama Lewis is survived by her former husband John T. Lewis, Sr. of Covington, and by her children: Deborah Lewis (Max) Kimball, Sr. of Cedartown, John Ted (Jill Davis) Lewis, Jr. of Locust Grove, Robert Paul Lewis of Snellville and David Anthony Lewis of Lilburn. Her grandchildren include Max M. (Aabri Landers) Kimball, Jr. of Cottonwood Heights, Utah; Faith Kimball (Jason H.) Steffen of Aurora, Illinois; W. Spencer (Nancy Baxter) Kimball, Sr. of Alexandria, Virginia; Connor Daniel Lewis of Locust Grove; Christy Lewis (Eric J.) Pine of Severn, Maryland; Andrew Lee Buford of Marietta; Michelle Lea Buford of Lawrenceville; and David Lee Lewis of Lilburn. Great grandchildren are Madison Landers; James, Michael and Kimball Steffen; Will, Anna and Macie Kimball; and Olive Mackenzie Pine. Mama Lewis is remembered for her outgoing personality, her lively sense of humor and her great love of LDS missionaries. The Lewis children offer an especial expression of gratitude to Cathy and Elaine and the residents at Clairmont Crest, where our mother was so happy. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 9th, at the Ponce de Leon Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1450 Ponce de Leon Avenue. Visitation will be from 1:00 – 2:00 PM in the Relief Society room. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the missionary fund at www.ldsp.org.