Obituary of Lewis Andrew Mayhew

Lewis Andrew Mayhew, 88 of  Bedford, our beloved Daddy, Papa, Great Grandpa, Great Great Grandpa & cherished family and true friend closed his eyes one final time on Saturday, July 29, 2017 and opened them in the arms of Jesus to be reunited with his loving, beautiful bride of sixty-three years, Betty Ester Maxey Mayhew.  He was born on Tuesday, June 11, 1929, the oldest child of eleven to the late Moulton A. Mayhew and Jesse May Overstreet Mayhew.  He was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, a granddaughter, Ariel Lynch, grand son-in-law, Butch  Payne & siblings, William Mayhew, Lucille Susin & Elwood Mayhew as well as several other family members and many friends.  

Lewis was a member of the former Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church (Joppa Mill Road) & Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church, Huddleston where he served as Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Lay Leader/Speaker.  He owned Lewis Mayhew Excavating for 50+ years, and during that time taught his son, Gary the trade.  He served proudly in the U. S. Army from 1951- 53 and was stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict.  He loved his Lord, his family and loved to hunt turkey and Grouse and he also loved to dance.    

He is survived by his loving children, Donna Sue Hamlett (Billy), JoAnne M. Lynch (Kirk Sr.), Gary L. Mayhew (Linda), Tammy L. Mayhew (friend, Wayne), Tracey M. Davis (fiance, Larry) his grandchildren, Tara, Crystal, Mia, Micah, Kirk, Jr., Kamri, Ashley, Samantha, Sara, Jared, Joshua, Jacob & Paige, great grandchildren, Kalyn, Blake, Austin, Bailey, Heather, Dakota, Dynasty, Juelz, Daron, Troi, Levi, Lindsay, Miciah, Israel, Jazelle, Aushae; great great grandchildren, Kannon & Kayden; two foster grandsons, Charles & Caleb; his brothers, Doug, Mahlon & Ray; his sisters, Nancy Louise, Iva Jean, Mary Elizabeth, Annie May; his furry friends, Toby & Pepper; very special friends, John & Dale Kent and many other family members and friends.  

The family is so grateful to everyone who loved our daddy and was his friend.  As he would say while shaking your hand "It's good to see you my friend."  The family extends our deepest appreciation for the compassionate care rendered to Daddy by his personal caregivers, Brooke, Kaylie, Ronda, Pam, Kamri, Jessica & also to the wonderful compassionate staff of Bedford Centra Hospice, Dr. Linda Beahm, Debra Coleman, RN, Sylvia Hall, CNA Chaplain Justin Brown and Adam Reynolds, Volunteer and office staff.  He loved you all more than he could ever tell you and appreciated everything you did for him.    

The family requests those wishing to make memorials to consider Bedford Centra Hospice, 1621 Whitfield Drive, # C, Bedford, VA 24523 or Hunters for the Hungry, P. O. Box 304, Big Island, VA 24526.  

Funeral services will be held at 2 PM on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford with Rev. Steve Turner, Rev. Wayne Murphy & Chaplain Justin Brown officiating.  Interment will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 until 8 PM at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford & other times at the residence of his sister, Nancy Walker, 1619 Quaker Church Road, Bedford, VA 24523 or his daughter, Donna Hamlett, 1247 Quaker Church Road, Bedford, VA 24523.