Cheryl Lewis

Cheryl Childers Lewis passed away peacefully on January 24, 2016. Born in Russellville, Arkansas on March 13, 1953, she lived a life characterized by exemplary service, uncommon fortitude and extraordinary faith. She died just as she had lived, with quiet grace and dignity. She grew up in Atkins, Arkansas and went on to receive her Bachelor's degree in music from Arkansas Tech University, where she was the founding president of the Zeta Rho Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, a national music service fraternity for women. She earned a Master's degree in Music Education at East Texas State University, now Texas A&M University - Commerce. Her work in music included conducting school choirs of all ages, private voice studios, leading church choirs, and working with children's musical theater. She was particularly skilled at working with volunteer singers of all ages. A lover of literature and a voracious reader, she also did graduate work in library science and worked in public and school libraries. She had a remarkable talent for making everything around her more beautiful. She is survived by her husband, Jim Lewis of Arlington, Texas, whose 37 year marriage produced a son, Tyler, also of Arlington, Texas. Other survivors include her mother, Deane Childers, brother and sister-in-law, Kenny and Lisa Childers, all from Atkins, Arkansas and a large extended family. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m., Thursday, January 28, at Lemley Funeral Home in Atkins, Arkansas. The funeral will be held 10 a.m., Friday, January 29, at the First Baptist Church in Atkins, Arkansas with burial to follow in Oakland Cemetery. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, February 6, at the First United Methodist Church in Arlington, Texas with a reception at the church afterwards. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cheryl Childers Lewis Music Scholarship at Arkansas Tech University, Russellville, Arkansas, or your favorite charity. Online obituary and condolences are available at www.lemleyfuneral.com.