Erma Jean Lewis was born September 7,1932, in Edna to Norman Sr. and Ida Mae Cole. She attended school at Tuskegee then went on to L’Ouverture for high school, graduating in 1951. Erma later graduated from Madame CJ Walker School of Cosmetology in Tulsa.
Erma joined church at an early age. When she was 18 years old, the Rev. JB Greenhoward of Tuskegee Baptist Church appointed her as Sunday School teacher. She often told the story of how afraid she was and couldn’t understand why he chose to appoint her. He told her just go ahead and try. She remained a Sunday School teacher for 63 years until complications with her health prevented her from teaching. Erma Jean read her Bible and studied her Sunday School lesson as long as she could.
On April 13, 1953, she married Sidney Lewis Sr. Before his death in 2020, they celebrated 66 years of marriage. To this union five children were born. Erma was a homemaker that loved children. She told people her greatest job was being a mother. When she lived in Oklahoma City, she babysat her siblings’ children. Sometimes it could be 14-16 children at a time including her own. Affectionately called “Momma Jean,” they loved being around her. Erma also babysat her grandchildren and great-grandchildren September 7, 1932 – August 26, 2023
whenever she was needed.
She did join the workforce at the age of 60 as the cook at the Slick Senior Citizen Center in Slick. When the center closed, she went back to her favorite job babysitting. At the age of 71, she along with her husband Sidney took on looking after their newborn twin granddaughters until they started school.
Erma was called home Saturday August 26, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Preceding her in death were her husband Sidney Lewis Sr.; father Norman Cole Sr.; mother Ida Mae Brooks; stepfather Harry Brooks; three brothers, James Cole, Norman Cole Jr., Floyd Johnson Sr.; three sisters, Maxine Cole, Deanie Butler, Cleta Jones; precious nephews Michael Cole and Jerry Butler.
She leaves to mourn two daughters, Sandra Lewis of Tulsa, Angela James (Michael) of Okmulgee; three sons, Pastor Gregory Lewis (Gwen) of Beggs, Sidney Lewis Jr. (Tammy) of Okmulgee, Marion Lewis of Tulsa; one brother Carl Cole (Marcenia) of Slick; one sister Norma Jean Simpson of Oklahoma City; 12 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren, along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Services will be held Saturday, September 2, 2023, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church South in Beggs. Friends may visit Ms. Lewis and have floral arrangements sent to the Okmulgee Chapel on Friday from 1-6 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, Inc. – Okmulgee Chapel.
