MR. JAMES WOODROW LEWIS

James Woodrow Lewis passed away at his home on August 21, 2026. James was the oldest of eight children born to Harvel and Grace Breazeale Lewis. He arrived on December 6, 1937 in Philadelphia, MS. In 1959, he graduated from Arlington High School and continued to keep in touch with classmates throughout the years. He played basketball in high school and although he enjoyed most sports, basketball was his favorite. He proudly served in the United States Air Force and was proud to be an American. Throughout his life, James was exposed to music by his mother, Grace, a pianist and an alto, along with her sisters and brother, when they would gather around the piano at every family event. His musical influences were not limited to hymns. He loved the old country music. Saturday nights were spent gathered around the radio, listening to the Grand Ole Opry, which was a staple in our home. Although he never played a musical instrument, he was the original air-guitarist. Without even realizing it, he put a love for music in his girls and was always ready to hear them sing. There’s a Hole, Wreck of Ole 97, and Billboard Song were among his favorites, and of course, always a hymn. In his early adult years, he worked for McRae Butane Gas, Miami Window, drove a bread truck for Hardin’s Bakery, and Buchanan Electric, but he soon found his niche as a carpenter for Anderson Homes, and in his later years, as handy man for Jack Stack. He served as Vice President and Trustee of Carpenters Local 2313 and served in several capacities over the years. Working with wood, whether building or crafting, was something he enjoyed until the very end. He was not a man of idleness. He was a charter member of the Pine Springs Riding Club since it was formed in the early 1960’s. James enjoyed the Dixie National East Ride from 1987-2020. What began as a love for horses and riding in his early years, would become a hobby in the form of a mule and wagon in his later years. He often explained, there was an art to training mules and he had plenty of practice training his kids, so he was a natural. He took great pride in training and watching those mules pull. He, along with Jackie by his side, enjoyed riding and getting back to nature until his body was no longer able to maintain the strength needed for the task. In his later years, researching genealogy, the old-fashioned way, became his focus. I believe he established that we are somehow related to most of Neshoba County. James never met a stranger and always had a story or joke to share. Yes Ma’am and No Sir were the rule, and quiet time meant Paul Harvey or Walter Cronkite were speaking. His work ethic and dependability were his greatest strength. Until the end, he took pride in maintaining his yard meticulously and all his tools and belongings were put neatly in their own place. He had many “Jamesisms” as we call them, words and phrases that were heard all our lives. James was an old school math person and had a unique way of teaching multiplication, none of which we would recommend, but he got the job done. In 1978, he married Jackie Miles Perkins and the blending of families began. Doyle, the son he never had, became a big brother to three sisters overnight. It took a little work, but through the years we worked out most of the kinks. Before you look for the halo, James had faults, some he claimed and some he did not, but you always knew exactly where he stood on any subject. This talented, stubborn, charismatic woodsman and horseman, will be greatly missed. In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Michael James Killingsworth and Jason Pitts; four siblings, Betty Jo Durant, Janice Ryals, Gary Lewis and infant brother Jerry. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jackie Lewis of Collinsville, MS; children, Doyle and Leslie Perkins of Collinsville, MS, Phyllis Pitts of Hattiesburg, MS , Tammy and George (Rock) Killingsworth of Gautier, MS and Belinda and Travis Gray of Collinsville; grandchildren, B.J. and Wade Lucas, Brock and Stacey Killingsworth, April and James McCool, Brandon and Katie Pitts, Cody Perkins, Hunter and Amber Gray, Jonathan and Jennifer Pitts and Fisher Gray; great-grandchildren, McKenna, Bracken (Maija), Carney, Chloe, Madison, Atlee, Anthony, Jason, Breck, Archer, Woods and Savannah; one great-great grandchild, Knox; siblings, Marilyn Stuart, Ronnie and Martha Lewis and Danny and Suzanne Lewis; Jess, who was like a granddaughter along, with numerous other special people that called him “Jamie”. Visitation will be Monday August 24, 2026, at Pine Forest Baptist Church, 10031 West Lauderdale Rd, Collinsville, MS 39325 from 10:30am -12:00 pm. Funeral Service will begin at 12noon at the church. Graveside Service with Military Honors will follow in the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons, Brock, Brandon, Cody, Jonathan, Hunter, Fisher, Wade and James. He was not a formal man, always preferring the casual. In honor of James, we ask that his friends and family come in their jeans or whatever casual dress you prefer. Services under the direction of O’Bryant-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Pascagoula, MS and local assistance by John Stephens Funeral Home in Philadelphia, MS.

MR. JAMES WOODROW LEWIS

December 6, 1937 - August 21, 2026