Lovetta Lewis

Services are scheduled at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 20 at First United Methodist Church for Lovetta M. Lewis, 1902 Villa Dr., Artesia, New Mexico.

Mrs. Lewis, 86, died Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas.

Rev. Monty Leavell will officiate at the services with burial at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Lance White, Jonathan Knight, Carl Barnes, David Matlock, John Knight and J.T. Jackson.

Lovetta was born July 6, 1926 in Eakly, Oklahoma the daughter of Otis Sharry and Jewel Jones Sharry. Her parents preceded her in death.

On May 30, 1947 she was married to Leroy Lewis in Colony, Oklahoma. They came from Oklahoma to Artesia in 1959.

She was a retired public school teacher teaching eighth grade Language Arts for most of her time in Artesia. She was voted Outstanding New Mexico Teacher of the Year and is in the State Education Hall of Fame. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church. She was a former Sunday School teacher and taught Bethel Bible classes. She was an avid bridge player and belonged to three different bridge clubs.

Survivors include her husband Leroy of the family home daughters Sharry Knight of Artesia and Dana White of Midland, Texas a brother Carl Sharry of Forks, Washington a sister Faye Davis and husband Bill of Ruston, Louisiana and grandsons Jonathan Knight of Artesia and Lance White of Midland, Texas.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to First United Methodist Church, PO Box 1492, Artesia, NM 88211 or to a charity of choice.