Martha Jane “Janie” Brown Lewis, aged 71, of Chattanooga, passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at home after a courageous four and one-half year fight with breast cancer.
Born May 9, 1947, she resided in the East Brainerd area of Chattanooga for the majority of her life.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Crawford and Dora (Rynes) Brown; and her brother, David Rynes Brown.
A member of the 1965 graduating class of Tyner High School, she later attended the University of Chattanooga where she also worked in the Admissions Office. Janie also worked for Benton Oil Company, Thomas Leitner law firm, Bernard Stone & Company, CPAs, and Franklin Haney.
Always active in church, she was a member of Morris Hill Baptist Church, Brainerd Baptist Church, Red Bank Baptist Church, Concord Baptist Church, and for the last several years, she was a member of Christ United Methodist Church where she took an active role in many activities and missions, including the Bethlehem Center, the Samaritan Center, Women of Worth (WOW), Naomi Circle, and Support Our Sisters—a Cancer Ministry for Women.
A long-time Chattanooga Tennis Association member, Janie played many years on several women's doubles teams often serving as the team captain of both her day and nighttime teams. She was always ready to travel and loved visiting local and foreign locations.
Janie knew people everywhere and easily made lasting friendships that simply started with her beautiful smile. One of her greatest joys in life was being “Mimi” to her ten grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Andy D. Lewis, and their four children, Beth (Evan) Cope of Murfreesboro; Katy (Kerry) Duke of Acworth, Georgia; Drew (Mandy) Lewis of Collegedale and Matt (Joanna) of Collegedale; 10 grandchildren, twins Jack and Emily, Aniston, Eleanor, twins Edward and Andrew, Caroline, Ingram, Eden, and Nigel, as well as six brothers, Wayne, Richard (Dianna), Eddie (Tanya), James, Jerry, Donald, several nieces, nephews, numerous cousins, and countless friends.
The family would like to thank Tennessee Oncology, in particular Dr. Davey B. Daniel and Nurse Practitioner Amy Ottman, and all the nurses and staff members for their extraordinary care and treatment. The family would also like to thank Memorial Hospital nurses and staff members assigned to the Oncology Unit on 4-East for their compassionate care.
Janie and the Lewis family have been so moved by the exceptional skills of oncology nurses such that they have created the “Janie B. Lewis Oncology Nursing Scholarship.” Therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to the “Janie B. Lewis Oncology Nursing Scholarship” in care of The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Office of Development, 615 McCallie Avenue, Dept. 6806, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403.
The family will receive friends Saturday, May 11th from 11 am with the service beginning at 2 pm at Christ United Methodist Church with Rev. David Hall officiating. A family graveside service will be held at Lakewood Memory Gardens, East.
Visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share condolences with the family.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.
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