Reverend Austin Lewis Jr., of Lima, Ohio, was born on December 13, 1944, in Beaumont, Texas, to the late Austin Lewis Sr. and Nellie May (St. Julien) Lewis.

Austin Lewis Sr., originally from Lafayette, Louisiana, migrated to Beaumont as a young man. There, he met and married Nellie May, who also hailed from Lafayette. Together, they shared 50 years of marriage and raised six children: Esther May, Ethel Lee (Thomas), Austin Jr., Patricia Ann (Cohen), Michael Linnaeus, and Ronald. The family also included a half-sibling, Betty Jean Jackson. All of Rev. Austin Jr.'s parents and siblings preceded him in death. With the passing of Rev. Austin Lewis Jr., the family has now witnessed the loss of the final member of a generation whose influence and love will continue to resonate through their descendants.

A Life of Ministry and Music

Rev. Austin Lewis Jr. was called to ministry at an early age. He traveled with his father and uncles' gospel quintet group and was eventually recruited into their ensemble, where his natural gift for song quickly became evident.

After graduating from Herbert High School in Beaumont, Texas, he attended the American Baptist College, a seminary school in Nashville, Tennessee. During a visit home, his sister, Ethel Lee, recognizing his potential, urged him not to return to home. She purchased him a bus ticket north, a gesture that would launch a lifetime of ministry and legacy-building.

In Springfield, Massachusetts, Rev. Lewis served as Associate Pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church under the leadership of his good friend, Rev. A.L. Hobbs. He became known for his reverence for ministry through music, working as a DJ for a Sunday morning gospel radio show, and traveling as a distinguished guest minister at revivals across the country.

It was at one such revival that Rev. Lewis met the late Betty Jean Redding Lewis. Their union was blessed with four children: Dione Stevens (Beloved Son in Law, Greg), Austin Lewis III, the late Genine "Toochie" Lewis, who passed away at an early age, and Kira Lewis. Together, they cultivated a home filled with faith, music, and love—planting seeds of ministry that continue to flourish in their children, now ministers, musicians, authors, poets, composers, and directors.

Pastoral Leadership in Ohio

In the spring of 1974, the Lewis family migrated to Dayton, Ohio. On Easter Sunday of that year, Rev. Lewis began his pastoral journey at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.

In 1982, he was called to pastor New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Lima, Ohio, where he faithfully served for over 20 years. During this time, his leadership became a cornerstone of the community, deeply influencing the lives of those he served.

In 2003, with the love, support, and partnership of his then-wife Lois, Rev. Lewis founded Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as Senior Pastor until his peaceful transition. His legacy of faith, compassion, and leadership lives on through the church and the community he so faithfully served.

Rev. Lewis was recognized by the Black Ministers Alliance, receiving four plaques—one for each decade of pastoral service—as a testament to his unwavering dedication to his church and his community.

A Lasting Legacy

Rev. Lewis leaves behind a living legacy through three generations of family:

Grandchildren:

James Davis (Porsche) of Jacksonville, FL

Erica Sidwell (Jimmy) of Atlanta, GA

Tahlor Jobs (Quinn) of Cranford, NJ

Christian Lewis (Kortni Odum) of Chattanooga, TN

Mikenze Lewis of Nashville, TN

Kareece (his favorite)

Great-grandchildren:

Dorien Lawrence

Sincere Sidwell

Emoni Sidwell

Barbara Sidwell

Myles Dubois

Mercy Jobs

Enzo Lewis

Ariana Lewis

Nieces and Nephews

Paula Lewis

Kenny Jackson

Troy Thomas

Mahari Cohen

Vicki Cohen Ward

Kodow Cohen

Azurii Cohen

Xavier Lewis

Frederick Anthony Burton

Stephen Burton

Samuel Burton

Angela Burton

John John Redding

Danisha Redding

David Redding

Reggie St. Julien

He is survived by his siblings through union, Johnnie and Alice Redding; his step-daughter, Valerie; his god-daughter, Cheri Burton; his daughter-in-law, Kim Freeman-Smith (Terry); his devoted friend, Minister Robyn Darden; and his dear friend, Pastor Emeritus Fayne Wise. He is also survived by his extended family, beloved church members, and a host of friends and spiritual children whose lives were deeply impacted by his ministry.

He was preceded in death by his sister-in-love, Barbara Holmes; Quitiza Holmes; Robert Lewis; Debra Bradford; Karl Thomas; Albert Jackson; Michael Jackson; Wesley Cohen; and Makeba Cohen Clark.