Retired Asst. Police Chief Ernest Lewis
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September 21, 1937 - August 20, 2021 Mr. Ernest Lewis, husband of Mrs. Delores Lewis, and former Assistant Chief of Police for the City of Portsmouth, VA., passed away on August 20, 2021. Please join the Lewis family as they celebrate the life, love, and legacy of Assistant Chief Ernest Lewis at the following:
PUBLIC VIEWING (Masks Required) Friday, August 27, 2021 2PM – 7PM Corprew Funeral Home
CELEBRATION OF LIFE (Masks Required) Saturday, August 28, 2021 12NOON E.G. “Tip” Corprew Jr. Memorial Chapel of Corprew Funeral Home 1822 Portsmouth Blvd. Portsmouth, VA 23704
FINAL RESTING PLACE (Masks Required) Greenlawn Memorial Gardens 3920 Airline Blvd. Chesapeake, VA 23321 |
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On Friday, August 20, 2021, Ernest “Ernie” Lewis quietly slipped away while at Concordia Transitional Care and Rehabilitation – Nansemond Pointe, Suffolk, VA., as heaven opened its gates to receive him home.
Ernie was born on September 21, 1937 in Stanton, Tennessee to Robert and Mary Shaw Lewis. He was a graduate of Carver High School, Brownsville, TN in 1956. Afterwards, he began a professional baseball career with the Negro Leagues and later became a part of the St. Louis Cardinals Organization. Ernie came to Portsmouth, VA in 1961 as a pitcher with the “Tidewater Tides” and later settled in Chesapeake, VA., where he lived for over 40 years with his wife DeeDee. During this time, he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Old Dominion University in 1977.
In 1963, he faithfully served the City of Portsmouth for almost 30 years in several capacities within the Portsmouth Police Department as a police officer, a Commanding Officer of the Special Investigation Division, Assistant Commander of the Traffic Bureau and retired in 1992 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He received many appreciation awards from the Chesapeake Police Department, The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Portsmouth Police Department for his outstanding service and contributions to the police force and community.
He was a great man who could light up the room with his bright smile and warm heart. He was mild mannered, kind, gentle, and had a fantastic sense of humor. Ernie loved to hold conversations and give encouraging words whenever needed. He was an avid runner and loved baseball.
In addition to his parents, Ernie was preceded in death by two brothers – Joseph and Benjamin Lewis and two sisters – Rose Ballard and Willie Lue Ross. Left to cherish his passing and to cherish her memory is his loving wife – Delores M. “DeeDee” Lewis; daughter – Daria Forbes; goddaughter – LaToya McQuillia; two grandchildren – Ryan Forbes and Courtney Elliott; three great-grandchildren – Jalani, Raheem, and Milan; two sisters – Anna Mae Hunt of Stanton, TN., and Alma Eberhart of Miami, FL., and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
“Ernie,” (My Punkin) will be missed and forever in my heart! Your loving wife, DeeDee | |