(Dene) Gray Lewis was born to her parents, Leslie and Beatrice Gray at their home in Nashville, TN on May 16, 1943.
She graduated Bellevue High School in May of 1961. Wylodene married Rev. Robert H Lewis Jr. (Bob) on June 17, 1961, and they were married for 62 years. Their marriage and love is an example of a true testament of God’s love.
She attended Tennessee Technological University and in her early career worked at several banks in the communities where she and Bob lived. She retired in 2004 from United Methodist Communications (UMCOM).
While she was attending Tennessee Tech, Bob was serving the Wesley Foundation connected to the campus in Cookeville, TN. It was an exciting time in their marriage, and it was during this time their two daughters were born. Bob & Wylodene were also blessed to be leaders in that community and were heavily involved in advocating for the social causes occurring during that time.
Wylodene was a member of Bellevue United Methodist Church at the time of her passing. She had served several women’s groups at the various United Methodist churches that Bob served as pastor.
Wylodene was a member of Beta Sigma PHI service sorority, who named her Girl of the Year 1970-1971.
Bob and Wylodene have always been a shining example of couple-ship for her family. We [celebrate] that her pain is over, and that because she was such a wonderful person to all that she knew, she will live forever in our hearts and memories.
Wylodene is preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Beatrice Gray, and her sisters Margie Tomlinson, Ruby Davis.
Wylodene is survived by her loving husband Bob, their daughters Kristine Badger (Alec) and Karla Moffatt (Paul), her sister Doris Ferguson and brother Les (Bubba) Gray, five grandchildren: Adam Moffatt (Madison), Zach Moffatt (Kara), Alex Moffatt, Sarah Badger and James Badger, two great grandsons and three great granddaughters.
A Celebration of Life service will be held 2:00PM Saturday, January 6, 2024 with visitation one hour prior to the service at Franklin First United Methodist Church Historic Sanctuary, 148 Fifth Ave. S. Franklin, TN 37064. Rev. Zach Moffatt, Rev. Nelia Kimbrough and Rev. Dr. Bryan Brooks will officiate.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to United Methodist Committee on Relief. More information about UMCOR and donations can be made directly online at: https://umcmission.org/give-to-umcor/. Donations can be made by phone by calling 1-888-252-6174. To give by mail, make your check payable to Advance GCFA, write “where most needed” and Advance #999895 on the memo line of the check and send it to:
Global Ministries/UMCOR, GPO, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068.
