Lewis Gayle Sewell, age 81, passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Oxford. He was born December 31, 1935, in Dyersburg, Tennessee. He graduated from Newbern High School and obtained his undergraduate degree from Union University, his Master’s Degree in Hospital Administration from the University of Mississippi and his Doctoral Degree in Theology from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He was a retired nursing home administrator and an ordained Baptist minister. He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran. He was an avid golfer who became a certified professional golf club maker.

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2017, at First Baptist Church in Pontotoc with Dr. Ken Hester officiating; burial will follow in the West Heights Cemetery. Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include his wife, Billie Jean Thomas Sewell of Pontotoc; two daughters, Lauren Ingraham (Jim) of Hixson, Tennessee and Jeanna Boothe (Leigh) of Madison, Alabama; one son, Tom Sewell (Melissa) of Pontotoc; five grandchildren, Emily Sewell and Erica Gray of Pontotoc, Alex and Andrew Boothe of Madison, Alabama and William Ingraham of Hixson, Tennessee.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alma Childers Sewell Stribling and his father, Ebbie Stribling; and a brother, Robert Sewell.

Pallbearers will be Jim Ingraham, Leigh Boothe, Alex Boothe, Andrew Boothe, William Ingraham and Chris Thomas.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the Veteran’s Home in Oxford and Halcyon Hospice for their kind and loving care of our father.

Memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association or First Baptist Church of Pontotoc.

Condolences may be offered at www.browningpontotoc.com.