Uncrowned Community Builders

Mary Louise Lewis was born on January 31, 1925 in Augusta, Georgia. Her parents were Andrew Jackson and the Rev. Essie Brown Jackson. Mary moved to Buffalo at the age of 5.

Despite being a high school dropout, at the age of 16 because of chronic debilitating illness, Mrs. Lewis successfully completed a high school equivalency program at the age of 40. After completing her GED, she went on to earn a B.S. in elementary Education from Buffalo State Teachers College. She received her Master's Degree in Library Science with honors from the University at Buffalo.

Although she described herself as a wife and mother and considered that her primary function in life, she lived a full and productive life with many pursuits including music, poetry, sewing, public speaking, politics, culinary arts, religion and more. Mrs. Lewis retried in 1992 as Head Librarian in the Erie County Library System. She was also a proud member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Mrs. Lewis was the Founder of the Martin Luther King Day at the Martin Luther King Library that she supervised in the late 1960s, long before it was declared a national holiday. Some of the first Kwanzaa Celebrations in Buffalo were celebrated at the libraries she headed. These libraries included the Niagara Branch and the Alden Correctional Facility library. The Fashion shows she facilitated throughout Buffalo were outstanding events.

Mrs. Lewis had a deep and profound faith in God, and instilled deep spiritual commitment in all of her children, who are all Pastors/Ministry Leaders. She was always actively engaged in "church life" and was a leader everywhere she went. From playing the piano at the Pilgrim Baptist Church, multiple activities at the St. Paul AME Zion Church, to joining her son at the Loguen AME Zion Church for over 20 years as he pastored. She ultimately became the Church Mother of the newly founded, Miracle Missions Full Gospel Church, under her son's leadership.

Mary Lewis was married to James Arthur Lewis, Jr. for over 64 years until his death in 2006. The couple has five children, Tempthia L. Battle, Imam Dawoud Sabu Adeyola, Minister Martha L. Arnold, Rev. Dr. James A. Lewis and the Rev. Mary L. Wilson.

Her sense of humor, wit and profound insight, will be missed. She was an inspiration and beacon of hope and light to many people. From an early age, she was very active in the community and Church.