We all come for an appointed purpose at an appointed time…

As only God in His divine majesty could do, He blessed the world on Thursday, November 13, 1941, with the creation of love molded into the spiritual and physical being of James Lewis. Born the sixth child of Menion Luther Lewis and Trudy B (Miller) Lewis, James was nurtured upon a rock of God instilled by his mother and raised on steadfast tenets of honor and hard work.

James' values were shaped by the tight-knit, formidable, African American community where he grew up, the South End in East Saint Louis, IL. He attended Dunbar Elementary and Hughes Quinn Jr. High, and graduated from the famed Lincoln Sr. High School in 1959. He received his B.A. degree in Social Work from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and took graduate courses at Webster University.

James was deeply devoted to his five amazing children, Anthony (Tony), Jennifer, James Jr. (Jay), Joi, and Patricia. When he was 28 and Joi was only seven months old, James lost the love of his life. His young wife, Jewell Dean Williams Lewis, died of cancer. Supported by his village of family and friends, James raised his middle three children as a single father.

James started his first job at the age of 5, selling Crusader newspapers with his 7 year old big brother Joe Lewis, Sr. As a young adult he worked at the General Motors plant. As he began his professional career, he held several jobs as a social worker with the Department of Human Services and Model Cities. James was the first Black man to be appointed by the Governor to the Illinois Parole and Pardon Board. He was later appointed as the Executive Director of the East St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners, where he served for 35 years. He was a formidable leader on issues of voting and democracy locally, nationally, and internationally. His passion for Election Law and Codes was a top priority in his work with lawyers, judges, citizens, and other officials in fostering fair and honest elections. He always said, "If we introduce to everyone the importance of their one vote, the world will be changed." His commitment to voter education started with citizens as young as 6 years old, through the famous mock elections in East St. Louis School District 189.   He served as President of the Association of Illinois Election Officials. During this thirty-five year tenure with the Election Board until his retirement in 2012, the words "honor" and "integrity" would be synonymous with the James Lewis name. Under his leadership, the office was continuously recognized both here and abroad for its work, drawing the interest of international election contingents from as far as Indonesia, Russia, Albania, and Canada who came to study and implement procedures created by James. Foremost was James' commitment to excellence and honor in upholding the sacred right of the ballot. He exemplified a life of brilliance, joy, and integrity.

His involvement with many civic organizations began early, with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, The National Association for The Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and many organizations that promote voter awareness. His commitment to the young people in our region will live on through the James Lewis NAACP Essay Scholarship Contest for local high school students.

Regardless of the litany of accolades, he never strayed from the tenets of his mother who taught him that nothing matters more than a personal relationship with God Almighty. James was a praying man who grew up grounded in the word of God at Lawrence Church of God in Christ Congregational. He continued his church service for many years at Eastern Star Baptist Church in St. Louis, MO. He later joined St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in East St. Louis, where he worshipped and served for 41 years.

Over the last year three caregivers provided many acts of kindness and helped create special moments and memories: Josie Filer, Rosalind Kee, and Felicia Lewis.

On May 7, 2018, after gloriously fulfilling everything he was destined to do in this world, James returned home escorted on wings of angels back to God and those who ascended before him: his wife, Jewell Dean Williams Lewis, his parents Menion Lewis and Trudy B. (Miller) Lewis, his mother in law Minerva (Mother- Dear) Williams, his brothers Lester Lewis and Joe W. Lewis Sr., and his sister Jewel Lewis DeLaney.

James's legacy of integrity, joy, and generosity will live on through his five children: Tony (Rae) Starks of Accokeek, MD, Jennifer Lewis-Watson of Belleville, IL, James (JAY) Lewis, Jr. of Centerville, IL, Dr. Joi D. Lewis of St. Paul, MN, and Patricia (Alan) Closson of St. Charles, MO; six grandchildren: Renard Phillips; A. Markel Starks, II; Jaden, Camdyn, and Zander Closson; and Dallas Jewell Watson; one great-grandson: Terry Woods; three sisters: Annie Lewis-McCraney of Florissant, MO, Lillie B. (Lewis) Prude, and Marcella Lewis of East St. Louis, IL; three sisters-in-law: Eloise Lewis of East St. Louis, IL, Dortha Lewis of Belleville, IL, and Rena (Edgar) Davis of Grand Rapids, MI; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family, friends, and very special fictive kin - the Rush/Lawson family.