Loyd Talmadge Lewis

Loyd was born on March 30, 1935 to the parentage of the late Lexton Lewis and Willie Mae Griffin Lewis in Georgetown, GA.  He was educated in the Quitman County, GA school system and graduated from the Kaigler Training School. 

At an early age he confessed in Christ and joined Davis Chapel A.M.E. Church in Georgetown, GA.  Having parents who loved to sing, Loyd and his sister, Melva, attended services, revivals and singing conventions at most churches in the community.

He attended Fort Valley State College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science.  He began his teaching career in Georgetown, GA at his alma mater, the Kaigler Training School in 1958.  Loyd obtained his certification in Guidance and Counseling from Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN.

On August 16, 1965, Loyd married his true love, Katherine Louise Mauldin, of Fort Gaines, GA.  To this union one son was born.

Loyd loved teaching and being a guidance counselor and school bus driver. But he left education for public service.  He served as the Director of the Neighborhood Youth Corporation in Columbus, GA from 1966 to 1976.  From 1976 until 1984 Loyd served as Operation Manager for the Columbus Employment and Training Administration in Columbus, GA under Mayors Jack Pickle and Harry Jackson.

He often mentioned working in Columbus during the end of segregation and the beginning of integration.  He, his fraternity brother, Olan Faulk, and A.J. McClung would go to restaurants in the city to integrate them.  Loyd loved being a member of the famed, "Socee 25" Club in Columbus.

After assisting his wife with her parents’ funeral arrangements in Asheville, NC, he was inspired to go into funeral service.  In 1969, he and Katherine opened Lewis Mortuary in Fort Gaines, GA.  For over 53 years their business has brought comfort to families in Southeast Alabama and Southwest Georgia.

For many decades the city of Georgetown was without an A.M.E. church until Loyd led a group of ladies to reopen St. Stephen A.M.E. Church.  He and Katherine put their dreams of building a home on hold to rebuild the church.  The church officially reopened in 1976.

Loyd made another enormous impact on his community by becoming a member of the Quitman County School Board in Georgetown, GA.  He served as their Board Chairman for over 35 years.  He led the efforts to build a new elementary school and eventually bring the high school students back from Stewart County with the construction of a high school and gym.

His church duties also kept him busy at St. Stephen AME Church in Georgetown.  He served as Church Steward and Trustee and Church School superintendent.  He also was a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Cross Road Masonic Lodge #190, the State School Board Association and the Georgia High School Association.

In addition to his parents, Loyd was preceded in death by his loving wife, Katherine, and his sister, Melva.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his son, Carvel; and grandson, Tristan, both of Georgetown, GA; and a host other sympathizing relatives and friends.

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