Lester Leroy Lewis, Sr.

Lester L. Lewis, Sr., was born in Baltimore, MD on May 17, 1926 to Ervin and Cassandra Lewis.  Lester attended the Oxford Area School System and then later joined the Marine Corps.  He was a WWII combat veteran having served in the Pacific theater, seeing action in Iwo Jima.  He was among the first African American combat troops who occupied the Japanese mainland; although their actions are erased from the history books.  He received an honorable discharge in 1945, and returned to a U.S. that should have celebrated his sacrifice, but instead directed him to the back of the bus and the backdoors to receive his meals.  He did not allow this to deter his efforts and made a successful career, as one of the few African American dairy farmers in Southeastern Pennsylvania, as well as a successful entrepreneur for over 50 years.

Between Southern Lancaster county and Chester County, Lester was known for not only the quality of his milk, but that of hay, and other crops required to support his prized cows. In the 1970s, the USDA called upon him to promote his techniques to African farmers seeking to produce drought-resistant crops in their home countries. He made television appearances to explain his agrarian techniques and processes for producing repeated high yields from the same land.  Lester, is also known for Lewis Fencing which employed family members, friends and many persons from Oxford and surrounding areas.  The quality and craftsmanship of his fences was well known, and can still be seen over 40 years later throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware.  He tried multiple times to retire, but each time he would try to take it easy, he would soon be found out and about in Oxford, assuming new fencing and/or lawn cutting contracts.

Lester was a faithful member of several churches.  Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church, Oxford, PA, was a family church attended by his father, and he served multiple positions including Trustee Board, Treasurer, Usher and Program chair for various programs.  It was customary for the pastors of Allen AME Church to be found at the Lewis home on Sunday afternoons or any other time for both food and fellowship.  After moving south to spend more time with their sons, he joined Shorter Chapel AME Church in Franklin, TN.  There he also served as a Trustee and organized the annual African American history program.

Lester married the love of his life, Juanita, in 1947; from this union four children were born.  For 70 years Lester and Juanita were inseparable partners in business and love.  “Bus,” as he was affectionately known, took great pride in his family.  He regularly boasted about his family members, and enjoyed spending as much time with them as possible.  He regularly hosted impromptu fish fry’s and other gatherings much to the chagrin of Juanita. Numerous nieces and nephews would spend a portion of their summer vacation on the farm with Uncle Bussie and Aunt Nita. They knew they would get a good meal, and advice whether solicited or not.  Ever the jokester, he enjoyed cracking jokes, playing tricks on over night guests and playing games including bonanza, penny poker, spades, and he always won!!!

Lester leaves to cherish his memory his wife Juanita, two sons; The Honorable Jeffery L. Lewis, Sr. (Ann) of Manor, TX; Dr. Lester L. Lewis, Jr. (Jackie) of Brentwood, TN, 13 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends and colleagues.  He was preceded in death by his siblings William Swann, Edna Watson, Mary Dorsey, Granville Lewis, Agnes Boyden, and Ervin Lewis, Sr., and two children, Eric and Robin Lewis.

The Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at 11 AM at Wilde Funeral Home, 434 Main St., Parkesburg, followed by interment in Oxford Cemetery.  Family and friends are invited to attend the viewing from 9 until 11 AM.