Obituary of Doris Minnis Lewis

Doris Lee Minnis Lewis, age 90, of 1018 Arthur Minnis Road, Hillsborough, died on December 1, 2018, surrounded by her family.  She died in the home in which she was born on April 10, 1928 to the late Mary Lois Dodson Minnis and William Arthur Minnis.  She and her husband of 69 years, Keith B. Lewis, continued to live in the family home.  Together, they had two daughters, Martha Lewis Stanfield and husband, Earl, of Callands, Virginia, and Rebecca Lewis Lawrence and husband, Dan, of Roxboro.

   Doris loved her family, and did much genealogy and family research over the years.  She hosted many family meals and all of the holiday events for her family up until just the last year.  Even this past spring she and Keith hosted the Lewis Family Reunion, an annual event they started thirty years ago.

   Doris was educated in the Orange County Schools, graduating in 1945 from Hillsboro High School.  She was a member of the last graduating class completing only eleven grades.  She studied music at Elon College.  

   A member of Union Grove United Methodist Church all of her life, Doris served as the organist for 62 years.  Additionally, Doris served on numerous committees and as church historian for many years.

   After retiring from the University of North Carolina Division of Purchases and Stores in 1983, Doris and her husband enjoyed a lengthy retirement, and built a thriving farming business.  They grew cut flowers, especially roses, perennials, herbs and produce, and were vendors at the Carrboro Farmer's Market.  Many area farm to market restaurants used their cut flowers on their tables, and served the finest vegetables grown in their rich Orange county soil.

   In addition to her parents, Doris was predeceased by sisters, Voncile Minnis Hill and Catherine Minnis Snipes Long, and brother, James Monroe Minnis.

   Surviving in addition to her husband and daughters are her sister-in-law, Betty Sue Minnis of Chapel Hill, grandsons, Dan Weldon Lawrence, Jr. and wife, Tina, of Roxboro, and Landon McKnight Stanfield, of Callands, Virginia.  Also surviving are two great grandchildren, Samuel Keith Lawrence and Maggie Rae Lawrence of Roxboro, nieces Charlotte Hill Lewis and husband David, Betsy Snipes Wilson, and nephews Paul David Hill and Thomas Arthur Snipes.

   The celebration of Doris' life was held on Monday, December 3, 2018, at 2 o'clock at Union Grove United Methodist Church with the Rev. Richard Greenway officiating, and with special music directed by Jamie Davis.  Burial followed the service at the Union Grove Cemetery.  

   Pallbearers were Harry Sumner, Jonathan Ray, Bryant Dodson, Steve Rosemond, Mike Stewart, Ernie Dodson, and Zack Dodson.

   Memorials may be made to Union Grove United Methodist Church, 6407 Union Grove Church Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278.

   The Lewis family is under the care of Walker's Funeral Home of Hillsborough.