Mary Ann Lewis, 75, of Durant, Okla., joined the great cloud of Heavenly witnesses on October 28, 2022, at her home, surrounded by her close family and devoted friends. Mary Ann was born on July 16, 1947, to Willard Eugene Wells and Laverne Eloise (Johnson) in Durant, Okla.
She was a strong and most gracious lady of the Kingdom, serving faithfully for 35-plus years in full-time church ministry. Pastor Ann will be forever remembered in the generational legacy she cultivated day by day in relationships. When folks would come for prayer, help, or encouragement, she was well-known to ask: “What Scripture are you standing on?” She was an avid quilt enthusiast who wove prayer, peace, and love into every fabric that went through her gifted hands. Many folks have been a recipient of her craft and she even finished a couple for others in a pinch!
Honorable Mentions by those “Sister Ann” connected with:
She has left an indelible mark on my life and heart! I have such dear memories of times we shared, times she ministered to me, times she BLESSED me with her company, times we laughed so much!! I will never forget how Pr. Lee described her being a female pastor at Victory;” Ann is the feminine touch in our ministry, just walk into her office!” The beautiful woman she portrayed inside and out, and in everything and everyone she touched; always every hair in place, adorned beautifully but modestly, displaying what a true WOMAN OF GOD should be in EVERY way!
Ann -demonstrating Believing the Word! Speaking the Word! Training others in the application of the Word. Obedience to the Word. Laying hands on the sick and seeing them recover. Speaking to the storm and telling it to go right back where it came from. Training others to know who they are in Christ. Demonstrating the power and authority in Jesus name practically applying this truth. By definition- A true believer-A faithful disciple of Christ. You are forever part of my story and now apart of the cloud of witnesses. Thank you!
What a life!! Gone too soon for the rest of us, but your impact on your world will never be forgotten, my sister!! My wife and daughters have been especially blessed by your obedience to our Father and therefore, my entire family is better because you heard the call and responded. We will miss you, but we do not grieve as unbelievers do because we know our separation is only temporary.
Back in the day, Pastor Ann used to clean the church. I’d be working late and take a break – usually when she was in the sanctuary (this was in the chapel days). We would start talking about the Lord and… well time flies when you’re having fun! So many good memories of her and Carolyn (her sister) in the early days. She is truly a wonderful saint and I was blessed to know her.
I spent many hours learning to pray with Ann; I had a friend one time looking for me and Ann told them just keep looking you will find her somewhere praying. That was because she taught me the power of declaring God’s word! She taught me how to always honor leadership while interceding. Yes, she was radical about prayer before it was cool. She taught me to really love and honor my husband. She is forever a part of everything I do and will do. Now it is our turn to teach the next generation as she was faithful to teach us.
Words fail to express all Pastor Ann has meant to me. From birth until now she has faithful poured into my life and always wanted to know how I was doing and what I was hearing the Lord say. She actively tried (tried being the operative word) to teach me to sew and always invited me along on the journey of what was happening. She never despised my youth but rejoiced in helping pour into me to steward the gifts God has placed within me. Although her passing is hard on us when I heard the news I couldn’t help but smile because I can only imagine the party happening in heaven as she sees our King face to face!
The above comments were taken from the Victory Life Church Durant Facebook posts honoring Pastor Ann’s memory.
She is survived by three children, Jesse Lewis (Melista) of Durant, Okla., Lacretia Lewis of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Travis Lewis (Christina Lile) of Silo, Okla.; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; her mother, Laverne Eloise Maddox of Durant, Okla.; and two siblings, Carolyn Kelly of Durant, Okla. and Bobby Wells.
She is preceded in death by two sons, Venson Lewis and Leslie Lewis; her father, Willard Eugene Wells; and two sisters, Lavonda Winstrom and Joyce Massengale.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2022, from 4-6 p.m. at Victory Life Church (Youth Chapel) in Durant, Okla.
The Celebration of Life HOMEGOING will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 4, 2022, in the Main Sanctuary of Victory Life Church with Pastor Lee Armstrong officiating. Burial will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery in Calera, Okla.
Honoring a legacy of love, faith, and prayer: Pastor Ann impacted countless lives through her Spirit led life. She ran her race and is hearing “well done good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your Master.” She has been and will be a pillar in our church and we rejoice that she called Victory Life home. Memorial donations can be made to Victory Life Church or the Hands of Hope Resource Center.
