Margaret "Jeanie" Lewis, 86, passed away Saturday, October 15, 2022. She was a loving mother and devoted wife and helpmate to her recently departed husband, Paul.

She was born June 7, 1936, near May's Lick, Ky. to Olive and Aiken Cline, one of ten children. Her childhood years were humble but happy, helping her family with household and farming chores. Jeanie was very proficient in her studies and won a regional spelling bee championship.

She wed Paul Lewis in 1957 and they soon started a family. During the earliest years of marriage, she kept home and hearth together while Paul worked. In time an opportunity arose to purchase and operate their own business, the Dog-n-Suds restaurant in Greenwood, Ind.  She and Paul ran the operation successfully, eventually they went independent of the franchise, renaming it The Suds. A later business venture also met with success, the Jackpot Mini-Quik convenience store in Southside Indianapolis.

Jeanie loved to travel, with Hawaii as a favorite destination, but she also visited Central America, the Caribbean and the continent of Africa, but always felt the Ohio Valley region was among the prettiest places on Earth. Among her hobbies was music; she loved to sing and play guitar and enjoyed seeing her favorite performers at concerts and bluegrass festivals. Although she would not claim cooking was her passion, she excelled at it; everyone was happy to have a seat at her table.

She enjoyed her home of 51 years in rural Greenwood, a haven she loved to share with others. It was so often a hub for gatherings small and large, from intimate card games with friends and neighbors to bustling family reunions. Family was of paramount importance to Jeanie, she kept in close contact and visited parents and other beloved relatives often and doted on her grandchildren.

She had a soft-spoken nature that belied an inner strength that served not only her but others well. Those in her orbit could expect sound advice, solace if needed, or a chuckle, as she possessed a fine wit. Jeanie was a woman of devout Christian faith, generous and compassionate to those less fortunate, she gave often to charities and benevolent organizations, and assisted friends and family in need.

Jeanie was preceded in death by her husband, Paul. She is survived by her three children, Mark Lewis, Delinda (Glenn) Lafara, and Darren (Gail) Lewis; grandchildren, Zachary (Mary) Sloan, Tyler Lewis, and Conner Lewis; great-grandchildren, Atticus and Claudio Sloan.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Jessen & Keller Funeral Homes ~ Whiteland Chapel in Whiteland, Ind.

The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m., Saturday, October 29, 2022, at Mt. Carmel Christian Church located at 55 Poplar Grove Road, Flemingsburg, Ky. 41041, with visitation from 12 p.m. until the hour of service at 1 p.m.

Jeanie will be laid to rest at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.

Boone-Nickell Funeral Home is caring for Jeanie's local arrangements.

Friends may offer online condolences at www.boonenickellfuneralhome.com