Gene L. Lewis, Sr.
November 10, 1931 ~ April 6, 2024
ROCKY MOUNT – Gene L. Lewis, Sr., age 92, passed away on April 6, 2024. Born in Henrico County VA on November 10, 1931, he was the son of the late Joseph Abernathy and Anna Dinwiddie Lewis. He was preceded in death by his brother, Jack Dinwiddie Lewis and his sister, Betty Ann Lasley.
Gene was the founder and chairman of Lewis Advertising, Inc. The agency maintains its home office in Rocky Mount NC. He was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond and a 1953 graduate of Virginia Tech where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in science. After serving two years active duty in the U.S. Army as a lieutenant, he spent three years in retail sales. He entered the advertising profession in 1959 working with agencies in Virginia, North and South Carolina. In 1969 he founded Lewis Advertising.
Gene was the recipient of numerous professional civic awards including the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Advertising Hall of Fame, the American Advertising Federation Silver Medal Award, the Governor’s Award for Distinguished Service to the Agri-Business Industry, the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award, the East Carolina Council Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award, the NC 4-H Outstanding Service Award and the NC State University Outstanding Volunteer Award.
A man of great faith, he was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church in Rocky Mount.
Gene is survived by his wife of 70-years, Nancy Adkins Lewis, his son, Gene L. Lewis, Jr. (Margaret) of Rocky Mount NC; his daughter, Teresa Cairns of County Tipperary, Republic of Ireland; four grandchildren, Kristie Kennedy (Benjamin) of Raleigh NC, Ryan Lewis (Molly) of Charleston SC, Neville Cairns of London, Great Britain and Jeremy Cairns of County Tipperary, Republic of Ireland; three great grandchildren, Asher, Abigail and Katherine Kennedy and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Gene’s Life will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 3:00PM at the Rocky Mount First United Methodist Church. Following the service, a celebration of Gene Lewis’ life will continue during a reception at Lewis Advertising, 1050 Country Club Road, Rocky Mount NC 27804.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Gene’s memory to The Rocky Mount First United Methodist Church, 100 S. Church St., Rocky Mount NC 27804.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
I worked for Mr. Lewis over 25 yrs. What a great man! So sorry to hear of his passing. My heartfelt condolences to the family. He was a true Southern Gentleman! Vicki Raper
THANKS BE TO GOD FOR GIVING GENE LASTING PEACE AND I AM SURE HE WILL LOOK OVER ALL THE LEWIS AND LEWIS ADVERTISING FAMILY. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU AND GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH TO MOVE THROUGH THE MOST DIFFICULT TIME.
It is with a heavy that I write this endearing message. I enjoyed caring for this loving man for most of my career. He & his caring wife Nancy have opened their hearts and home to love on my family like no other. His feet were priority number one. It was a team effort to keep him walking comfortably. I am going to miss the conversations, the peanut sampler (the chocolate covered ones were the favorite) and Frank Sinatra cued by Alexa. Rest well Mr. Lewis, Sr. My eternal patient and friend, you suffer no more. My prayers are with you all!
Dr. Travella Sellers
Anthony Wilkins
Antoinette and Antonia Wilkins
I was a young fella when I relocated to Rocky Mount, NC and took a job at Lewis Advertising. Gene Lewis (and everyone else there for that matter) was so incredibly nice and welcoming to me. Such wonderful people. I met the love of my life in that little ad agency with Gene Lewis’ name on the door. We just celebrated 22 years of marriage on April 6th. Gene passed on our anniversary. Gene Lewis and Lewis Advertising will always hold a very special place in our hearts. My warmest condolences to Gene’s family and friends and all those who knew and loved him.
Such a good guy you will be truly missed by many 🙏🏽
I knew Mr. Lewis professionally, first meet him 40 years ago when I worked for Boddie Novell Enterprises and then in my current profession as a FedEx driver. Always a gentleman and good person, he will be missed. My condolences to the family, Jo Ann Everette
I worked for Mr. Lewis for 12 years at Lewis Advertising. He was a kind man. He always spoke when he saw you in the halls. He was instrumental in helping me grow my skill-set as an IT professional. He will surely be missed by all. Keeping his family and everyone at Lewis in prayer.
My condolences go out to Mrs Lewis, the family and friends. Mr Lewis was always nice when he and his wife came to shop at Harris Teeter. I have fond memories. May God bless you all and bring you comfort and peace.
Cathy Clark
Nancy, Terri, Lee…..Simply put, I loved Gene/your father, and, truly, my career went as well as it did because he was always in the background. We just clicked. I told him it’s because he was from Virginia. My mother thought there’s no one finer than a Virginia gentleman. He gave of himself and his agency. He made his staff use their exceptional talents to make me look like I knew what I was doing, lol. Gene’s kindness, teaching, generosity, advice….it all impacted my work experience and the great memories that I have.
In recent years, we would run into each other at Harris Teeter and stop to chat. I started missing him and found out why. So, I seized the moment to connect with him last March via a letter. He called me when he got it, and we talked for two hours, rehashing good times together. I wouldn’t give anything for that chat. I’ll never forget it…………….or him. Thanks be to God for this kind man. BTW, I would bet that my mother has already tracked him down and introduced him to all of her VA family, and told his story to all who will listen, haha. I’ll be thinking of you as you start this next phase of your lives.
Much love,
Millie Harris Walker