Kenneth Edsel Lewis

Mr. Kenneth Edsel Lewis, age 97, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2026, while visiting the Grand Teton area of Wyoming. A lifelong resident of Appling County, Edsel was the area's largest producer of purebred Duroc and Hampshire swine from the 60s to the 80s, then switched to raising Angus cattle for the next 25 years. His dedication to agriculture earned him the honor of Young Farmer of the Year on multiple occasions. Beyond his work, he lived a life marked by generosity, faith, and service as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and community steward. Edsel was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Baxley, where he taught the 11- and 12-year-old boys' Sunday School class for many years. He and Velda enjoyed traveling with the church to Israel and to Germany to attend the Oberammergau Passion Play, which depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. As the church's oldest member and oldest deacon, Edsel faithfully served alongside the members of the Fisherman's Sunday School Class. Edsel will be remembered as a beacon of kindness, unwavering faith, and deep love for his family. His legacy is rooted in service to God, his family, and his community. He was a good and faithful servant who now rests at the feet of Jesus. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 36 years, Velda Cranford Lewis; his second wife of 33 years, Wyoline Lewis; his parents, Patrick and Josephine Evelyn Lewis; his stepson, Jamie Herrington; and twelve brothers and sisters; and two nephews and two nieces. He is survived by his daughter, Ellen Emenheiser (Phillip) of Ponte Vedra, Florida; his sons, Ethan Lewis (Cheryl) of Birmingham, Alabama, and Ken Lewis of Durham, North Carolina; his stepdaughters, Charlotte Hanchey (Jerry) of Arkansas and Sheila Rogers (Tracy) of Chattanooga, Tennessee; his stepdaughter-in-law, Peregrina "Pearly" Herrington; his grandchildren, Brigitte Poulson (Andrew), Kirsten Paige Emenheiser, Wesley Adam Lewis, Palmer Carlton Lewis, Emily Lewis (Noah), and Nathan Lewis; his step-grandchildren, Robby Cole (Catherine), Casey Cole (Janie), Krista Herrington Weaver (Bryan), Tyler Rogers (Ashlee), Blake Thomas and Sara Kate Rogers; his great-grandchildren, Genevieve Poulson, and Clara Poulson; his step-great-grandchildren, Trey Cole, Ann Marie Cole, Charley Belle Cole, Addison Cole, Shelbi Weaver, Bryce Weaver, Brylee Weaver, and Huck Rogers; and his step-great-grandson, Bo Cole; along with many nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held on Sunday, July 12th, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of Nobles Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Baxley with the Reverend Bill Hughes and the Reverend Glynn Cranford officiating. Interment will follow in Miles Chapel Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers are Robby Cole, Tyler Rogers, Bryan Weaver, Nathan Lewis, Wesley Lewis, and Palmer Lewis. Honorary pallbearers are the members of the Fisherman's Sunday School Class. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund or Gideons International. Nobles Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Kenneth Edsel Lewis.

Kenneth Edsel Lewis

November 12, 1928 - July 6, 2026