Amelia Alexander Lewis

E. Amelia Alexander Lewis was born February 16, 1934, in North Wilkesboro, NC. The eighth of nine children of the late Reverend Jesse James and Martha Florence Alexander. Amelia’s earthly journey came to a peaceful close on May 9, 2026. During her early years, the Alexander family moved to Hickory, NC, where her father was called to serve as pastor of Friendship Baptist Church. Amelia (or Doshe/Doe as she was affectionately called) accepted Christ at an early age and was an active member of many ministries at Friendship. She was educated in the Catawba County schools and graduated from Ridgeview High School in 1952. After high school, Amelia attended Shaw University in Raleigh, NC. An elementary education major, Amelia was a member of several student organizations, but her love of singing – especially hymns and spirituals – made the University Chorale her favorite. Always in awe of her older sister, Virginia, Amelia (with her “Roommate” and lifelong friend, Sue Caldwell) followed in her footsteps and joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated in Fall 1953. While at Shaw, Amelia met her future husband, Leonard, and they were married on March 28, 1959. From this union, they were blessed with one daughter, Bonita (aka “Bonnie”). Amelia began her teaching career in Charlotte, NC. When she relocated to Washington, D.C. after getting married, Leonard and Amelia lived in both NE and SE until they purchased a home on 32nd Place SE in 1966. She began teaching in the D.C. Public Schools, where she taught at Crummell Elementary, Stanton Elementary and Johnson Junior High. She spent the bulk of her career at Stanton, where she and her last name crew – Laney, Gaddy, Crudup and Morris – shared family, friendship and career. To bolster her ability to serve her students, Amelia returned to academia mid-career and received her M.A. in Teaching from Trinity College in Washington, DC. A consummate educator, Amelia worked with many of the most challenging students. “Miss” Lewis was a caring disciplinarian whose students cherished her loving nature, and often came to her house on weekends and during the summer just to say hello. After over 35 years of service, she retired from DCPS. After a few years in retirement, Amelia returned to teaching in the Prince George’s County public schools as a reading/math specialist, working for several years before retiring for good. Never forgetting her preacher’s kid upbringing, upon relocating to DC, Amelia joined Bethesda Baptist Church, a church where the Lewis family was among the founding members. Sister Lewis was a constant figure in church activities, where over her many years of service, she was involved in numerous activities, including directing the Vacation Bible School, teaching the Women’s Sunday School Class, singing in the music ministry, chairing the quinquennial Church Anniversary celebration, serving as church wedding coordinator, serving on the comfort ministry,and keeping the membership informed of church happenings through her elaborate bulletin boards. After the death of her oldest sister, Doe assumed the role of family organizer and cheerleader. She hosted and organized extended family celebrations and gatherings for holidays, graduation, summer and “just because we haven’t gotten together in a while.” An excellent cook, having inherited a love of cooking and hosting from her oldest sister, Alma and sister-in-law, Vera Lewis, Doe loved to set a beautiful table and serve delicious meals, which more often than not included her creamy macaroni and cheese and light and moist pound cake. In retirement, Doshe continued her work at Bethesda, was active in Child Evangelism Fellowship, and rekindled her love for other activities, including AKA, where she and her road partner, Crudup, looked forward to their biennial trips to the Boule. She was also a devoted caregiver to her sister, Virginia, who lived with her for many years before her death. Of all her roles, her favorite was being a grandmother, where she would travel to Michigan or Connecticut during the school year to spend time with her heartbeat, HB. She would also spend the summer conducting MawMaw’s summer camp, which included numerous trips to the Smithsonian and a mandatory two weeks of Vacation Bible School. Throughout her life, Amelia was lovingly called many names – Mom, Doshe, Roommate, Auntie Doe, Aunt M, MiMi, Lewis, Momma Lewis – but the one she cherished most was MawMaw. MawMaw leaves behind her pound cake recipe and a legacy of love and service, cherished by her daughter, Bonita (“Bonnie”) Lewis Bell and son-in-love Howard Bell III of McLean, VA; grandson, Howard “HB” Bell IV; goddaughter, Stephanie McSweeney and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins, extended family, loyal friends, and the 32nd Place neighbors. Amelia’s unwavering faith, love, laughter and commitment to family will continue to inspire all who knew her. Memorial gifts may be directed to Shaw University at shawu.edu/giving/ in memory of Amelia A. Lewis.

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Amelia Alexander Lewis

February 16, 1934 - May 9, 2026