Teretha (Mitter) Lewis

Mrs. Teretha Mitter Lewis, age 72 of 2814 Stadium Drive, Durham, NC transitioned into eternal rest on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at Duke Regional Hospital, Durham, NC.

A REMEMBRANCE OF LIFE AND CHRISTIAN SERVICE

"I have anchored in the harbor where the storms of life  are O'er, Where the gleams of endless sunshine break upon the heavenly shore"

On the evening of January 15, 2020 our beloved mother, sister. grandmother, and godmother, Teretha Roberta Mitter Lewis, slipped quietly and peacefully into eternity. She was born July 25, 1947 in Washington, DC.  She was the youngest child of  the late Deacon Robert and Deaconess Sallie Mitter.

Teretha “Baby Sis”, “Terry” became a Christian as a child and was active in many organizations of the church.                    

Teretha attended the DC Public Schools. When she graduated, she matriculated at Fayetteville State University for two years but decided to get married to Willie C. Lewis, Jr. They had two dutiful sons, Marquel Lamar and Christopher Robert Lewis. She believed in and was devoted to educational and spiritual development of her children. She reached out to other children in church and the neighborhood.  

Teretha, “Terry”,  as she was known by close friends, raised her children to believe in their ability to achieve anything they aspired to do, and to value education, honesty, and credibility.  

The “Glorious and Unbelievable” thing about Teretha is that after her sons graduated from college and began working, she went back to North Carolina Central University and earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Public Administration. This was accomplished while working in  the Federal Government for 42 years. She retired in 2016 from National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).

Following her retirement, she embarked on an entirely different endeavor that she found at first scary and challenging but rewarding. She undertook employment as an Administrative Assistant at Knotts Funeral Home at the Chapel Hill location. She had an encouraging and positive demeanor for everyone they served. Most of all, she was able to use her masterful computer  and organizational skills to enhance the operation of the business. The clarity, patience, and smiles that she always  showed in her work will be remembered.        

Her Faith and commitment to God always kept her strong as an active member of Greater Emmanuel Temple of Grace for nearly 38 years. During those years, she sang in the choir, led the Usher Board, assisted with administrative work, led  Fund Raising Committee, served on the Hospitality Committee, state and local matters, Gala Committee, Singles Ministry and was active in the Women’s Auxiliary. She also did Special Projects for the Pastor, Bishop M.E. Wright, Sr.. It can be said without equivocation that Teretha was just a good person, a servant leader, friend to all.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Rev. Jo Ann Kyler.

She leaves to honor and cherish her memories: her sons, Marquel Lamar Lewis of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Christopher Robert Lewis of Los Angeles, CA; a sister, Mrs. Dorine Adams of Suitland, Maryland; grandson, Jourden Richard Sawyer; nieces, Anita Kyler and Kyla McMullen; nephews, Cody Cox and Trevail Stokes; goddaughter, Dr. Amber T. Pearson and other relatives and friends

Professional Services Entrusted to:  Knotts Funeral Home - Chapel Hill