Mozelle Peden Lewis passed away at The Arbor on August 23, 2014 from
complications of a long life well lived. She was 96 years old. Services will be held at the Wright Ferguson Chapel in Clinton at 11:00 am on Thursday August 28, 2014 with burial in Lakewood Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 am until time of service.

Born on November 25, 1917 to Mary Francis Luke and Luther G. Peden in the Preston community of Kemper County, she grew up in Philadelphia, MS. She was the eldest of five children including deceased brothers the Rev. Homer Peden and Rev. Harold Peden, Henry Peden and sister Mary Francis Peden Wiggins.

Mozelle came to Hinds County and began work in President Cains office at Hinds Junior College in l936. She met Willie Fred Lewis of the Spring Ridge and Byram communities and they were married on June 26, 1937 and lived in the Byram community for over 70 years. They celebrated their 50th anniversary at the Drs Kleish home which was originally built in the 1800s by Harvey and Cornelia McDonald Lewis and where they lived after marrying.

While W. F. worked several jobs in Jackson and cleared and cut timber on land they purchased, Mozelle ran Lewis Grocery and Service built by W. F. and his brother, Shelton, at the corner of Gary Road and then U.S. Hwy 51, one of only a few gas stations between Jackson and McComb at that time.

In the late l940s and 50s she was heavily involved in the management and scheduling of Lewis Enterprises and W. F. Lewis Sons, a large livestock and row crop operation in Hinds County and grain and hay service company operating in Hinds, Madison, Copiah and Rankin counties. She was hostess to many family farm delegations from around the world sponsored by the USDA, Ms. Agricultural Extension and Hinds County Agricultural Agent Departments as the farm was recognized a number of times for its family farm status and innovative practices.

In the late 50s as the farm operation slowed, Mozelle worked for over 15 years with the Byram School District in the areas of transportation, office administration and cafeteria management.

After retiring, she continued to remain active in assisting the Dr.s Kleish as hostess for dinner parties and social functions at Windermere where she lived as a young bride.

Mozelle was most proud that she became a very good cook benefitting from some excellent family teachers. Her granddaughters assembled and published a compilation of her favorite recipes GOOD COOKINGGRANDMOTHER LEWIS in l998 She was active in garden, home demonstration and arts and crafts activities and clubs for many years and was especially supportive of W. F. and sons activities in growing and showing championship livestock in county, district and state shows.
Mozelle was a longtime member of Spring Ridge Methodist Church serving at one time or another on all its councils and committees, teaching an adult Sunday school class and working with the United Methodist Women having served as president of the West JacksonVicksburg District. She was a founding member and President of the Hinds Methodist Hospital Auxillary, and also a member of Chapter F of the P.E.O. Sisterhood involving educational initiatives. She and W.F. provided financial support to countless students over the years and in 2000 she established the Mozelle Peden Lewis Education Endowment with the United Methodist Foundation to support students interested in majoring in primary or secondary education, Christian education, or the ministry.

Survivors include sons, William Fred Lewis and wife Patricia Callendar of Terry and Harvey Shelton Lewis and wife DiAnn Bartee of Byram and St. Petersburg, Fl. sister Mary Frances Wiggins of Hernando Henry Peden and wife Pauline of Jackson sisterinlaw Louise Peden, Pearl grandchildren Greg Lewis, Alaska Brad Lewis and wife Fran, Mandeville, LA Kyle Lewis and wife Pattie, Terry J. Brian Lewis and wife Brenda, DeBary, Fl. Lauri Lewis Hayes and husband Russell, Cedar Bluff Heather Lewis Wood and husband Derik, Orlando, Fl and great grandchildren Justin and Jacob Lewis Katie and Madeline Lewis Devin Lewis. Joe and McKayla Hayes J. Brian Jack and Katie Mozelle Lewis.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, nephews, and a cousin, Brian Lewis, Brad Lewis, Greg Lewis, Kyle Lewis, Bob Peden, Alan Wiggins and Carl Ferguson.

MANY THANKS TO DOCTORS AND CAREGIVERS.

In lieu of flowers Mozelle has requested that memorial contributions be made to:

SPRINGRIDGE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1083 Davis Road, Terry, MS 39170

Or

The Mozelle Peden Lewis Scholarship Endowment
co The MS United Methodist Foundation
582 Highland Colony Parkway
Ridgeland, MS 39157