In Loving Memory of George Lewis Jr.
Lewis Tribe
Memories For A Lifetime
George gave us memories to last a lifetime. He poured all of his love into his family. George was playful and loving and had a childlike ability to make his kids feel safe and loved. We miss him every day and talk about him multiple times a day to keep his memory alive!
Our message to other families is to take a lot of pictures, shoot a lot of videos, stop silly arguments and fights, show love, invest time with God and show your kids that you love them.
<3 Jaimie
Amari & Daddy
We found out we’d be parents in 2007. Both of us freshly graduated from University, starting our careers. I was on my way to work crying hysterically and called George. He was ecstatic!!! He said “we got this Jaimie, it’s a blessing.” He let me name her Amari which means Promised By God and that she is. A natural artist like George. The week of his transition I heard him talking to her about honoring your parents vs respecting them. The next day, she did her chores without being asked, had a new leader demeanor and suddenly appeared as the eldest sibling right in front of us. He was so so proud and told her. She has his meekness and tenderness. Two gentle giants who share a love for Michael Jackson and Anime. George was so ready for his big girl to blossom and spread her wings. This year he made it to most of her volleyball tournaments and games, so encouraged by her growth as an athlete and just a week before he transitioned, taught her how to lift weights in our garage. Thank you George for crafting this beautiful girl of ours. I got it from down here and I know you’ve got it from where you are. Friends and fam, Please keep Amari uplifted in prayer as she experiences many firsts leaning into young adulthood with her father now an angel. Thank you to his brothers for already supporting in his physical absence. May you be blessed for honoring my George.
Maya & Daddy
While I was in grad school, we found out our second baby was on the way. He wanted to name her Maya after my favorite poet and his R&B crush. He would get home from work and grab Amari so I could take my pregnant self to school because he knew it was important to me, to us. The day Maya came the nurse asked George “you going to go for that boy?” He said “whoa no, not unless God says otherwise.” Maya came into this world strong and a beautiful reflection of her dad. People call them twins not just cause they look alike but because she has his wit, intelligence, humor, and strength. His dream for Maya was to help her relax and trust That God has a plan for her. They would push each other around, tell mamas jokes and play basketball. George loved his Mymy. Weeks before he transitioned he moved AJ and MJ into the same room to encourage them to love one another and learn how to lean on your sister during hard times. Thank you for that gift George. He told her watch the company you keep. Told her to respect her mom and even if she doesn’t need help, “watch her and learn.” He’d say “don’t use synthetic body sprays Maya, and nice edges today.” George knew of all his children, MJ would be okay in the world and was committed to helping her focus on a close walk with God. What a peace he must have had knowing that she would be okay. I got her from here George. Got the belt and the Bible ready. Quick hands to take cell phones and most importantly a growing wingspan to love on them like you did. When my arms can’t make a full circle, George please encamp us and hold her from the other side. No one can replace a father so I ask you to keep Maya in prayer family and friends. The prayer is for her to know she has a bank of daddy in her heart to pull from anytime and to remember God has his hand in all we do. Thank you George for our second, strongest baby who is my rock. You always said she’d be.
Harper & Olivia (Twins) & Daddy
20 years ago George and I had our first conversation about the twins we’d one day have. Eleven years ago, we had them. The love was instant, and he was never the same. Harper was his baby who could do no wrong; Olivia his sweet, easygoing leader. They made him even more a soft teddy bear and while most men would end up with gender depression going from two girls to four, he embraced being a girl dad and considered it an honor to show them what a good man, father and husband looks like. Even though he is no longer here in the physical, I thank God that they’re old enough to remember and retain his gentleness and grace. Our giant in more ways than one, he could hold the twins at the same time and managed to give them equal attention, but recognizing them as two distinct people with very different needs. For Olivia, the need was and will continue to be validation of a job well done and a reminder that perfection isn’t necessary for love. And for Harper, the need was and will continue to be encouragement to be brave and to follow her heart independent of others. These are George’s greatest wishes for his twins. I thank him for our twin folk we knew one day we’d be blessed with. I never imagined raising them alone but I will honor him with every step and ounce of patience it’s going to take to continue his great work. We did it dear, we had our twins. I know it wasn’t easy being so great for so many but you did it and I’ll take it from here with Gods helping had and the love that still remains in our home and hearts.
August & Daddy
Our final act. Bookend. Our son August. We prayed for him long before he appeared in a time that we least expected to have another child, let alone a boy. The last five years were surely a gift from God that allowed George to pour into his boy so much wisdom and memories. Things he didn’t experience as a boy but just knew how to do. August became his best friend! If you’ve met August, you’ll know the testosterone pouring thru him is thick. That’s all George. I was witness to the sweetest moments and my heart melted every time. In the same manner, today my heart melts for another reason. My boy won’t get to do so many things only his daddy could have done. I’m lucky my kids have the kind of dad they do and pray all of the lessons and memories can sustain them until they see their daddy again. Five years is just not long enough to have your hero. I’ve heard August say some things these last few weeks that I know are a direct message from George. “Sit down, you’re doing too much, rest mom I got it, we got this , daddy didn’t want to pass away, God is real, we can do this together right, me and you.” I thank George daily for going half on this little legacy person with me. God knew what we needed and when because when August was born, we reinvented our marriage (again) which brought us right back to when we first began. I know that if allowed, George will never let August go and I know this because of the way he loved him and us. Protect this boy George however you can. I will guard him with my life as you once told me. Your precious namesake, August George Lewis.
