Jimmy Lee Lewis, Jr.

Jimmy Lee (Little Buddy) Lewis, Jr., 50, passed away on Wednesday, November 6, 2019. Born in Edgecombe County September 24, 1969 he was the youngest child of Jimmy “Buddy” Lewis and Linda S. Lewis of Lewis Community. He was preceded in death by his mother, twin great-nieces Brooke and Bailee Bourne, his uncles Linwood T. Lewis, Robert A. Lewis, William E. Lewis and aunt Barbara L. Wells; and grandparents Robert L. and Bettie Lee Lewis.

A service to honor Lee will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 10, at Carlisle Funeral Home with Pastor Johnny Hendricks officiating. Burial will follow at Queen Anne Cemetery in Fountain with military honors. The family will receive friends at the funeral home immediately following the service.

Lee was a Sergeant in the United States Army. Joining at age 17, he served from 1987 through 1997. He was an Army Airborne Ranger, serving as a Jump Master in the 82nd Airborne Division. Lee was the youngest soldier to obtain the level of Jump Master during his service with the 82nd Airborne Division. As a paratrooper he was successful in all 176 jumps he made. He was privileged to participate in a jump with a surviving paratrooper from Normandy on the 50th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy.  He was proud to serve and loyal to the brotherhood of the 82nd until the end. Most recently Lee worked with Hendrix-Barnhill as a Heavy Equipment Operator and Elite Construction and Grading.

Lee was fiercely loyal to his family and has said to each of them at various times, “I’ve got your back” and he did. He was extremely proud of his uncles and the legacy of the Lewis family. He loved music, especially blue grass and classic country music that he grew up listening to. He played the mandolin in a local bluegrass band. His favorite thing to do was to take a ride out in the country on his Harley which he named “Misfit”. Once someone met Lee they never forgot him or his stunning, beautiful blue eyes. He left an impression on everyone he met and will be missed beyond words. His family takes comfort in that he had accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and they look forward to a heavenly reunion. 

He is survived by his loving family, including his wife, Sherri Harrell Lewis, sons Vadden Michael Gooding and Waylon Robert Lewis, step-son Austin Drake Turner, grandson Wade Robert Turner, who affectionately referred to him as “Pop Pop”, sister Anita Hobgood and her husband Harold Jr., their daughters Casey Bourne (Hunter) and Lindsey Walston (Dustin), great-nephews Garrett and Cayden and Liam due to arrive in February, and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins.

Flowers are welcome or donations may be made to Bethel Colony of Mercy, Inc., 1675 Bethel Colony Road, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Arrangements are entrusted to Carlisle Funeral Home, 701 Hospital Drive, Tarboro, NC 27886. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.carlislefuneralhome.com.

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