Betty Jean Lewis, 81 also known by many as “Grammy” and “Aunt Sis” passed away quietly in her sleep Saturday December 6, 2025.
Betty was born August 31st 1944 in Parkersburg, Wva. a daughter to the late E. Ralph and Margarett Ann “Lowe” Cunningham and sister to the late E. Larry Cunningham. She was also preceded in death by her special granddaughter Ashley Nichole Moore, April 14, 2020. and her cherished yorkies Baby, Abby and Dennis.
Not only did she survive four strokes and a heart attack, Betty is survived by her sister Kathy A. McAlarney of Whipple, her three children, Jeffrey S. Lewis of Washougal Wa. Annalisa Work of Parkersburg and Lorrie L. Lucas of Marietta. Her grandchildren Walker H.L Lewis, Julie A.M Lucas, Andrew W. Lucas and Emily J. Lucas all of Marietta. Even though they divorced years prior, her husband, Lonnie L. Lewis of Marietta. She always held a special place in her heart for the life they shared.
Betty decided to retire from being a beautician after forty years. She made that decision after doing her last customer’s hair for her funeral. She felt that her time as a beautician had come full circle and decided her tired hands needed to lay the scissors down.
She however, continued to work for another fifteen years making more lasting friendships and impressions on so many.
Mom was a special person. There wasn’t anything she didn’t know how to fix, no situation she couldn’t make better. She always seemed to have the answers to everything. Having been raised on the philosophy “You gotta have some grit” and “Can’t died in a cornfield” has resonated from the generations prior into all the ones that will follow. She worked hard, loved hard and made sure we all did the same.
Any one who knew Betty was aware of her fondness of Reese Cups, Diet Coke and her Misty Menthols. How she preferred a hammer over a frying pan…even though her cooking skills were just as great as her ability to pound a nail or run electrical. How her hands could embrace yours and you knew it would all work out. She taught us all to have an empathetic heart, which was a blessing and a curse. She loved the wind in her face and the sun on her skin as we drove back roads and laughed as we reminisced about the years.
Mom didn’t want anyone looking over her, no service, no visitation. Just a celebration of how we all knew her. I’m sure we all have special memories.
She wanted me to end it all from a song, and she wanted everyone singing….
“Ding Dong the witch is dead, the wicked witch, the witch is dead…Ding Dong the wicked witch is dead….” and we all laugh…
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