Amelda Lovell Lewis, 86, of Panama City, went home to her Lord and Savior on Saturday, September 6, 2014. Mel, as she was known to her family and friends, was born December 23, 1927 in Sophia, West Virginia to W.J. & Elva Lovell. She attended Marshall University in Huntington West Virginia, where she met her husband, Angelo T. Lewis. They married in 1949 and began their life's adventure together. They moved around for several years before settling in Panama City in 1962. Mel was a career homemaker. Her greatest love was her family. She was extremely devoted to her church. She volunteered for a number of duties at Forest Park United Methodist Church and St. Andrew Methodist Church, where she was a member at the time of her death. She was also a volunteer with the Bay County Council on Aging's Meals on Wheels program for more than 20 years. And in later years, she enjoyed spending time with a close circle of very dear friends.
Mel was preceded in death by her husband, Angelo T. Lewis, two brothers, Woodsie Lovell and Louis Lovell, a sister, Nannie Simmons and a grandson, Jeffrey Barnette. She is survived by her 3 children, Candy Barnette (John), Jack Lewis (Joyce), Tom Lewis (Susan), 6 grandchildren, Jennifer Evans (Daniel), Julie Osborne (Rick), J.D. Lewis (Laura), Lauren Lewis, Jennifer Nelson (Alex), Jason Barnette (Rebecca); 11 great grandchildren, Jacob Evans, Sarah Evans, Luke Evans, Jack Evans, Adam Osborne, Annabelle Osborne, Emmie Lewis, Katey Lewis, Chloe Lewis, Ty Bass, Anna Barnette, many of which called her "Grandiemother", her dear sister Lona Sexton, and many good friends. Funeral services will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Andrew United Methodist Church with Rev. Amy Persons Parkes officiating. The family will receive friends at Wilson Funeral Home from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday. Those wishing to may make a memorial contribution can do so to the St. Andrew United Methodist Church, the American Cancer Society or to the American Heart Association in memory of Amelda Lewis.