Elizabeth Cook Lewis

Lelia Elizabeth Cook Lewis

Elizabeth Lewis of Stockbridge, GA died March 22, 2024. She was born September 25, 1931 in Decatur, GA to Tom R. Cook and Bertha Mitchell Cook. She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings and their spouses Cora B. Cook, Lucy Mae Breedlove (Ebb), Enid Kate Payne (J.W.), Mary Tilitha Freeman (W.T.), Tommie Cook Jr., Fred Grier Cook, Dewey R. Cook (Lois), O. Claudine Cook, Betty Janet Skelton (Billy), and C.L. Cook; and by several nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved.

She was also preceded in death by her sweetheart and loving husband William L.(Bill) Lewis, who passed away only 2 short months ago on January 22, 2024. On December 15, 2023 they celebrated 68 years of marriage, and Bill was still telling the story to those with them on that day that "It would have been our 70th anniversary had she said yes the first time I asked her." Bill and his "Queen Elizabeth" are reunited for eternity in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Elizabeth graduated from Southwest DeKalb High School in 1948. Upon graduating from a local business school, she began a long and proud career with AT&T on September 18, 1949, and retired 39 years later on December 2, 1988. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and a loyal AT&T customer the remainder of her life.

As a child growing up on the dirt of Wesley Chapel Road in the 1930's and 1940's, Elizabeth...Epp as her family called her...worked alongside her brothers and sisters on the family farm growing vegetables and flowers for selling. The children, and some grandchildren, would join Mama Cook selling flowers in the Ponce de Leon and Highland Av area of Atlanta for many years. Board games, card games, bingo, puzzles and such were never part of her life, she'd quickly tell you "Never learned those games, we were busy in the fields or washing clothes in the brook."

While much of their time was spent picking flowers, cotton and corn, Mama Cook always had time for church and the Lord. It was when she visited a camp meeting/church service conducted by the Rev. Watson Sorrow in Atlanta, and having Epp with her, that Elizabeth met Bill. When she finally accepted his proposal, Rev. John W. Sorrow (Watson's son) married them in a home wedding where her sister Betty served as the Maid of Honor and her husband, Billy, served as his Best Man. The four of them were virtually inseparable for the rest of their lives. Epp and Betty, who also worked at AT&T, rode into work together on a daily basis for decades. Although this was their routine for years, they had weekly Sunday night calls to ensure each knew who was driving the next week.... they wanted to avoid confusion at all costs and certainly didn't want to be late for work.

Elizabeth accepted Jesus Christ into her heart as Savior and Lord under the ministry of Rev. Sorrow as a young girl. Her faith in Jesus was sincere and strong. Through the trials of life her faith and hope remained steadfast in Jesus, His Word and His promises. She supported Bill faithfully throughout his ministry. While never being "on the stage", she showed the love of Jesus to all who crossed her path. Like the Lord, she was a friend to the hurting, caring for those who were ill, those mourning the loss of loved ones, and always shared a warm hug and assurance that the person was not alone, to call on the name of Jesus because He is always near.

Elizabeth is survived by their only child, William Timothy Lewis and his family. I think it's fair to say, in her eyes Tim did no wrong, she was his biggest fan and through the years Bill would readily proclaim, "He's the king around here". In 1986 Tim married Tammy Wallace, and a new world opened up to Elizabeth. From the first time she met Tammy she knew she was special, she told Bill, "You're going to like this one."

Tammy was the princess for a while but soon came Chelsea (1990) and Chloe (1993) and a new world order had begun, there was a #1 and second #1 and everyone else fell somewhere down the line. Elizabeth poured her life into her two granddaughters from the moment they were born until the time of her death. When Chelsea and Chloe began having their great-grandchildren in 2016 and the years since, "Moma E and Daddy Bill" would drive from Henry County to Buford and Griffin (not easy drives for a couple in their mid-80's) to see the babies and help the girls however they could. Until arthritis limited her capabilities Moma E wouldn't just go to hold the babies, she'd wash dishes, fold clothes, change bed linens and do whatever she could to help the girls adjust.to becoming mothers. She was immensely proud of the mothers the girls have become.

The next generation has been left a tremendous heritage of faith and family by Moma E and Daddy Bill. Ryleigh Hope (2016) and Rhett William (2019) children of Chelsea and Jason Huyge of Hoschton. Sadie Grace (2017), Finley Reese (2019) and Carsyn Elizabeth (2021) children of Chloe and Jordan Piland of Griffin,

In addition to these immediate family members, Elizabeth is survived by her dear sister-in-law, Joyce Cook (C.L), nephews John W. "Johnny" Payne and Tony Cook and nieces JoAnn Freeman Owens, Barbara Freeman Yarborough, Gwyn Freeman Bacon, Debbie Cook Claborn, Jane Skelton, Karen Cook Swords and Angel Cook Edwards. Also, from Bill's family, nieces Judy Sorrow Bell and Brenda Wheeler.

Along with these are the many other great nieces and nephews, all of whom were touched by "Aunt Epp". All who enjoyed her biscuits at the annual "Cook Family Breakfast." she hosted for decades, her warm hospitality and the soft touch of her little hands. She loved you all.

Funeral duties are being provided through A.S. Turner & Sons, Decatur, GA. with all gatherings occurring at their location, 2773 North Decatur Rd, Decatur, GA 30033.

Family will receive friends from 5-8 pm, Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

Family will resume welcoming friends at 9 am on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, with the funeral beginning promptly at 10 am.

In lieu of flowers, it's Tim's request that donations be made to "White Fields". White Fields is based in La Ceiba, Honduras for the purpose of training Honduran pastors and ministers, providing them leadership training and medical team ministry to serve the people of the nearby villages. For more information, please go to whitefieldsmissions.net. Donations can be sent to PO Box 188 Oakwood, GA 30566 and other methods are available on their website.