Isabelle Lewis

“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” - Luke 22:46 An Autobiographical Obituary I was born along with my identical twin sister, Idabelle Pollard Badger, on November 28, 1942, to parents, Willie and Montrell Adams Pollard in Indianapolis, Indiana. There were six children in our family - five girls and one lone brother. My other siblings were Gail LaDonna Pollard, and preceded me in going to Glory sisters, Mary Ethel Landers (deceased), Lula Veatrice Peterson (deceased), and William Earl Pollard (deceased). I had a great childhood growing up in Indianapolis Indiana. I was named after my maternal grandmother Isabella Adams, who was a 4’10” dyno, who watched us while our parents worked. We didn’t have much, but my parents made sure we thought we had much. My Father worked at the Hy grade Meat Packing and International Harvester, and my mother retired from the Veterans Administration Hospital. My religious upbringing started with Second Christian Church in Indianapolis under the stewardship of Rev. Robert H. Peoples. I have great memories of dad taking my siblings and I to attend Sunday School while my mother readied herself whom he would return to pick up for main service. Between services my brother, sisters and I would walk to a nearby drugstore with a soda fountain and treat ourselves to an ice cream treat. We thought we were so grown up. Times were different then and we didn’t have to worry about anyone bothering us on the walk over there. My schooling began at Mary E. Cable Elementary School #4, Middle school #17 and I graduated from Crispus Attacks High School in 1960. It was a big plus attending an all-black high school where the teachers encouraged students to be the best and introduced students to opportunities enlightening us to what could be a productive future. Mr. Harry Petrie (H.S. accounting teacher) was instrumental in my attending high school years and due to his influence and my hard work I was able to receive a scholarship to Central State University which I graduated in January 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education. After graduation I returned to Indianapolis for six months then moved to Detroit to accept a teaching position in the Detroit Public School System. My first assignment was at Earhart Middle school where I met my future husband Charles R. Lewis, Jr.. We were married August 10, 1968. I received my Master of Arts degree in Business Education from Wayne State University in 1970. I also had several administrative specialist courses at Eastern Michigan University. Upon arrival in Detroit, I established membership at Oak Grove AME church while Rev. Mitchum was pastor for a number of years. My final church home was at Hope United Methodist Church in which I loved serving on the Comfort Givers Ministry and Mature Disciples Ministry. I think of myself as a giving person and those two ministries gave me the opportunity to serve the church. Many friends were made from both of those wonderful ministries. In Florida I attended St. Paul AME Church in Apopka, yet my membership stayed with Hope UMC. My two heartbeats Nicole Olivia and Charles R. III were born on February 11, 1971. As a new mother after birth, I remained on leave until they were 18 months old, when I returned to work, I was assigned to Nolan Middle School in 1972 and taught there for 11 years. Dr. Celestine Mongo advised it was time to take my skills to high school and I transferred to Osborn High School in 1983 to 1986. My final teaching assignment was at Golightly Career / Technical Center where I held several positions until my retirement in 1999. I loved each of my teaching positions and worked with some amazing administrators and colleagues. Many colleagues from each school have remained close friends through the years. Over my teaching career I served on many educational committees and attended many many workshops to enhance my skills. It was my great honor to receive the Booker T. Washington Award in 1998. My greatest reward was the many students who became adopted children and kept in touch through the years. Those students Stephen Cummings, Sherry Boomer and Deidre Bounds and many more. I am grateful for so many people I was blessed to meet during my life. There are so many that I could fill a journal with all the names of people that have positively touched my life and I theirs. Yet, I know I would forget someone (not intentionally) and that would hurt my heart. One of my dearest friends is Carolyn Baker Watts, who was Ida and my roommate during our years at Central State and during our student teaching in Columbus, Oh. We remained close friends over the years. Our children were raised together as “Cousins”. I believe my children have been the brightest achievement of my life. My daughter went to heaven much too soon on January 4, 2016. I mourned her passing every day since and missed her terribly. Nicloe gave me my second brightest lights - my three grandsons Alton Pardtare, Jr., Alexander Charles and Alston Curtis Andrews. I marvel at their accomplishments in light of losing both parents at a very young age. I am most proud of the parenting provided by my son Chuck and his wife Joy over the triple AAA’s. They did a marvelous job in raising them to adulthood. I can not forget the assistance from their God Mothers Nicole and Jodie along with Uncle Stephen as Chuck’s male backup and positive influence. This along with the many family members motivating and encouraging them. I Feel like there is nothing that compares to being a grandmother. All three of my Suggas are my protectors and would do anything for me. I love them with a passion and hope that they will smile at some of the fun things we did together as they were growing up. After Nicole passed, I decided to relocate with them to central Florida in order to continue to watch them grow up and to give Chuck and Joy a hand. The AAA’s ShiH Tzu became my roommate and constant companion. He was a handful at times, yet very enjoyable to have around. Fluffy (freckles) is too smart for his own good. In life I enjoyed many hobbies, reading, sewing, crocheting, collecting cookbooks and recipes as well as elephant figurines, cruising and anything associated with my college alma mater at Central State University, especially Homecoming. My favorite trip was with my sisters and our children driving across the country to the CSU alumni convention in Los Angeles. I have crocheted well over 30 Afghans given to family, friends and others that have touched my life. Hopefully, I touched someone's life as I tried to be a true friend to each person who came into my life. Each person who touched me with meaning knows who you are. You were there in happy and sad times, and I sincerely appreciate your support. I have been blessed and praise God for the many blessings bestowed upon me. I leave to cherish, not mourn my memory, my wonderful son Charles R. Lewis, III (Joy), Sisters Ida Badger and Gail L. Pollard, sons of my heart Stehen Cummings (Tamara) and Christopher Pittman (Paula), my grandchildren Alton (Boo), Alexander (Sweet Pea), Alston (Bruiser) Andrews, Sean and Lauren Cummings. Nephews and Nieces: Phillip (Carol), Thomas (Pamela), Michael (Kelli) Shannon, Tony Pollard, Terry Pollard, Sonja (Anthony) Harris, Stacey Pollard, Kelli Peterson, Kevin Landers, Sean & Jordan Harris, Danielle Lewis Brown (LeBron), Saran (Adinicio), Anaya and Azekel Hartley, April and Elizabeth Ashley Harvey, Sister-in-law Olivia A. Harvey. My daughters from other mothers, Jodie Conerly, Nicole Johnson and DeCheena Tillman. My beloved special friends, Carolyn and Willie Watts, Myra Stephens, Carolyn Scott, Letha Ann Steward, Maxine Jones, Patsy Heath, Veronica Daly, Emma White, Loran Moten, Donna and Walter Davis, Altheria Newman, Dawn Jowers, Dorothy Walker, Mattie and James Williams, Norma and Paul Jones, Vanessa Burrell, Jackie Diamond Hall, Linda Jones, Valeria and Richard Yong, Marsha Wheeler, Clara Crowell, Loretta Robinson, Lottie Braggs, Roz Dennings, Marha Hanna, Laura Royster, Jimmy and Joey Barbour, and Wilbert and Lolita Jones. Comfort Givers and Mature Disciples Ministry members, Angela Tidwell Lewis and Chandra Scott Lewis. Love you all, Isabelle P Lewis

Isabelle Lewis

November 28, 1942 - August 16, 2024