On 31 March a local man was unexpectedly called home by God.
The angels came and escorted him, first class, to heaven. See, that is the kind of person he was, first class.
Stanley Lewis was tragically killed in a lawn mowing accident. That is all I am going to say about that.
I have known Stanley since he arrived in White County back in the early 1990s. He didn’t know one soul who lived here. He worked for a few local farmers, but it was the (late) Henry Absher who saw something in Stanley and hired him as a full time employee.
Henry was the first person in Stanley’s life who truly ‘gave him a chance’, an opportunity to prove himself, to show what he was made of.
Over the years Stanley became an invaluable presence to the Absher family. To this day I have never seen a person commit themselves the way Stanley did.
His honesty, hard work and unflinching LOYALTY to the Absher family earned him the friendship, love, respect and especially the TRUST of Henry, Jane and Ron.
White County became his home.
Stanley was well known for his food preparation creations. He didn’t hunt, look for morels, go to sporting events or any other activity. Church, family and cooking was it.
Several years ago, Stanley’s mother succumbed to her battle with cancer. In his ‘spare time’, Stanley would prepare multiple meals for his mom and other family, and regularly drive to Cairo for visits.
In 2017 Stanley was blessed with the news that he had a 10 year old son, Zeke. Stanley quickly became a devoted father and tried hard to make up for the lost time.
More recently, Stanley fell in love with a local woman and her two beautiful young children. He became a wonderful role model and provider. He finally found love, and was loved so much in return.
Stanley felt very honored by the many friendships he developed in his time here. Besides the Absher family, the Claytons, Whitsitts, Files’, Raynita Aud and Amber Carney held a special place in his heart.
I simply cannot name all of the folks who impacted Stanley’s life in such a wonderfully positive manner. He felt very blessed by you all.
To all of you, I will say it for him.
“Thank you! I sure appreciate it! Have a blessed day!”
Respectfully,
Rich Gurka
You can find Mr. Lewis’ funeral arrangements at https://www.wrul.com/obituaries/stanley-c-lewis/
