Mary “Louise” Lea Lewis, 95, departed this life peacefully on Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, in Baton Rouge, with her loving family by her side.

A 65-year resident of Baton Rouge, Louise was born at her home in Hattiesburg, Miss., on March 13, 1922, to Curtis Byron Lea and Myrtis Irene Newman Lea.

Visitation will be at Greenoaks Funeral Home on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 11 a.m. with the service to follow at noon. Interment will follow the ceremony at Greenoaks Memorial Park. Her grandsons and grandson-in-law will serve as pallbearers.

Most of Louise’s formative years were spent in Hattiesburg, however she graduated from Central High School in Jackson, Miss., and attended Draughon’s Business College in Jackson. Louise married Elisha Robert “Bob” Lewis on May 16, 1941. They were married 68 years.

After being married less than a year, Pearl Harbor was attacked, and Bob joined the U.S. Army. After the war, they moved to Natchez, Miss., and then Newellton. In 1952, the family moved to Baton Rouge. For many years, Louise was a homemaker and participated in her children’s numerous activities. She later taught kindergarten at Broadmoor Baptist Church School for five years.

In 1961, Louise began working for Field Enterprise, where she worked her way up to area manager and then district manager. Louise received many accolades and awards while she was with the company and was known for being extremely conscientious, energetic, and well-organized. In 1970, she won the top national sales and management award given by the company. While with World Book/Childcraft, Louise was a member of the President’s Club, and she retired in 1992 after thirty successful years with the company.

She was a member of Broadmoor Baptist Church for 58 years and the Ruth Sunday School class, where she made many good friends. As a spouse of an army officer, she was proud to be a longtime member of the Military Officers Association of America.

Louise was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Rosemary and Robin Buddecke of Richmond, Texas, and Virginia and David Walker of Baton Rouge; and two sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Doris Lewis of Lincoln, Neb., and Brad and Susan Lewis of Bogalusa. She is survived by nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her sisters, Gladys Lea Meador and Mildred Lea (age 2); her brother, C.B. Lea Jr.; and her granddaughter, Barbara Buddecke Swarm.

Those wishing to make donations may make them to Broadmoor Baptist Church, 9755 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70815, or to a charity of your choice. For those desiring, you may access the online guest registry at greenoaksfunerals.com.

“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10).