Marion Lewis

George Marion Lewis, age 88, passed away on Thursday, March 18th. He was born on November 12, 1932, in Batesburg, SC, to the late George Ray and Geneva Parrish Lewis. He graduated from Batesburg-Leesville High School in 1950 and served in the United States Navy on the carrier USS Oriskany during the Korean War. Marion married Betty Jean Long on August 30, 1954. They owned and operated Lewis Printing & Office Supplies in Batesburg for 28 years.

Marion was a long time active member of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Batesburg. He sang tenor in the choir for many years, worked with the youth as UMYF counselors and served on the Board of Trustees.

He also put much time and devotion into his volunteer work with the Batesburg-Leesville Ambulance Squad and Fire Department. He trained and served as a paramedic and was among the first volunteers to qualify as an Advanced EMT.

Marion and Betty lived in Batesburg until 1991, when they realized his lifelong dream of living on Lake Murray. They built their home on land that his parents bought in 1957. He was an avid fisherman, spending many hours on the lake as a youngster with his father and later with Elliott Taylor. He also enjoyed camping, river tubing, snow skiing and motorcycle riding.

Marion will be especially remembered for his spirit of adventure, his wealth of knowledge and his love of his Lord.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty Jean; son, George Lewis and wife Roberta Chin of Oak Ridge, TN; daughter, Robin Cranfill and husband Bruce Cranfill of Raleigh, NC, and two grandchildren, Paul Cranfill of Durango, CO, and Ben Cranfill of Suffolk, VA. He is also survived by a sister, Ruth Gettys of Columbia, SC; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, October 10th, at Home at the Lake, 1264 Holley Ferry Road, Leesville, SC 29070. Drop-In times are from 2:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M., with sharing times between 2:30 P.M. and 4:00 P.M.

Memorial donations can be made to St. John’s United Methodist Church, 513 W. Church Street, Batesburg-Leesville, SC 29006 or to a charity of your choice.