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Pauline Lewis, the matriarch of the Lewis Family gospel bluegrass singers, smiles as her husband tells a story at their anniversary celebration.
JONATHAN ERNST/STAFF |
Pauline Holloway Lewis, the matriarch of The Lewis Family bluegrass-gospel group, died Saturday after a brief illness.
Affectionately known as "Mom Lewis" to her family and friends, Mrs. Lewis, 92, was considered the backbone of the Lincoln County, Ga.-based outfit often acclaimed as "America's First Family of Bluegrass Gospel."
Mrs. Lewis' death came as a shock to the family, her daughter Polly Lewis Copsey said.
"She wasn't really sick, though she did have a little cold," Mrs. Copsey said. Mrs. Lewis died at home about 6 a.m., "peacefully in her sleep" before being transferred to Wills Memorial Hospital in Washington, Ga., her daughter said.
Mrs. Copsey said her mother was a proud perfectionist who helped keep the family business on track with her husband, Roy "Pop" Lewis. On Oct. 25, the couple celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary. They had eight children, but one child died at age 4, Mrs. Copsey said.
"She made all of our stage clothes. Mama never wanted the spotlight and was always there for us," Mrs. Copsey said from a cell phone as the family returned by bus to Lincolnton after canceling a Saturday performance in Millmont, Pa.
In recent years, her parents shared the story about how Mr. Lewis placed a ladder at the window of his future bride's bedroom, Mrs. Copsey said.
"He took her from the upstairs window, they eloped and got married," she said.
Their union evolved into an award-winning musical group that initially featured all their children and now includes grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Copsey said her father often teased her mother, asking her if she still loved him.
"She'd look at him and say, 'As long as your name is still Roy Lewis, I do."'
Don Rhodes, a longtime entertainment writer and columnist for The Augusta Chronicle, said, "Mom was the glue that held the family together. She was one of the sweetest people I ever knew. There would not be a Lewis Family if not for Mom Lewis."
While she never performed onstage, she was a constant presence at performances whether backstage, on the bus or out front selling records, he said.
Her contributions were so valued that she received recognition from the Southern Gospel Music Association in Gatlinburg, Tenn., honoring her for tireless behind-the-scenes efforts, Mrs. Copsey said.
The group formed 52 years ago when Mr. Lewis started playing his bass fiddle to accompany his children who performed at church and social functions.
In 1992, the group was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Macon.
Augusta Mayor Bob Young was saddened by the news.
"I've known the family over 30 years. Mom and Pop are highly thought of," said the mayor, who met the group when he was news director of WBBQ radio. "This is a real loss."
Reach Timothy Cox at (706) 823-3217 or tim.cox@augustachronicle.com.
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