Dr. Henry L. Lewis, III, 85, passed from this life on Friday, September 1, 2023, at his residence with his loving wife Bettye by his side. He was born on November 26, 1937, in Liberty, MS, to Henry L. Lewis, Jr. and Lois Carter Lewis.

Dr. Lewis received an Associate of Arts Degree from Southwest Community College in 1957. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from Millsaps College in 1959, and his M. D. Degree from the University Of Mississippi School Of Medicine in 1963. He was licensed to practice medicine by the State of Mississippi in 1963, and served an internship at Wilford Hall, USAF Hospital in San Antonio, TX in 1963 – 1964.

He served as Chief of Aerospace Medicine at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington State from 1964 – 1967 and as a flight surgeon, Joint Chiefs of Staff Project, Combat Lady. He had a Family Medicine Practice in Magnolia and McComb, MS since 1967, and served as an Elder at Unity Memorial Presbyterian Church since 1983.

He served as Director of Emergency Services at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center from 1976 -1983; member of the Emergency Medical Board from 1976 -2005; on faculty, University of Mississippi School of Medicine as Clinical Instructor, then as Associate Professor from 1979 – 2005; and was Alumnus of the Year at Southwest Community College in 1996.

He was board certified for Family Practice by the American Board of Family Practice in 1977; a Fellow at AAFP in 1980; advanced trauma life support instructor from 1981 – 1992; Chief of Staff at SWRMC in McComb, MS from 1984 – 1985; member of the Board of Trustees, SMRMC from 1987 – 1994 and President from October, 1993 to October 1994; certified of added qualifications in Geriatrics, ABFP in 1992; Medical Director at McComb Extended Care, McComb, MS from 1993 – 2003; Medical Director, SMRMC from 1995 –2020; team physician for high school and community college football teams from 1995 – 1999; Advanced Cardiac Life Support Provider in 1999; and completed sports medicine review in Kansas City, MO, AAFP in April 1999.

He served as Medical Director at Camellia Estates since April 2000, at Liberty Community Living Center since November 2000, Beverly Healthcare Southwest Nursing Facility from November 2000 to 2001, Amite County Medical Services since 2006, and Peak Healthcare since 2011. He served on the board of Southwest Community College from 2011 – 2023, and was in the National Registry of Medical Examiners for Federal Motor Carrier Administration since 2017. He was a member of the South Central Medical Society, the Mississippi State Medical Association, the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Henry L. Lewis, Jr. and Lois Carter Lewis; and brother-in-law, Rusty Jordan.

Survivors are his wife of 44 years, Bettye Lewis, and their daughter Alexis Lewis of Meadville. His children, Jeff (Katrina) Lewis of Liberty, MS, Jennifer (Mark) Babb of South Carolina, Eric (Lisa) Lewis of McComb, MS, Hunter Lewis of Ocean Springs, MS, Erin (Steve) Nichols of South Carolina, and grandchildren, Kristin (David) Simmons, Erica (Herbert) Icasiano, Regan (Theresa) Lewis, Seth Lewis, Daniel Nichols, and Andrew Nichols; great grandchildren, Lauren Grace and Seren Simmons: brothers, Carter (Bobbie) Lewis and Bill (Nancy) Lewis; beloved sisters-in-law, Judy (Dee) Branning of Summit, Evelyn (Robert) Haymon of Brandon, and Kathy Jordan of Gulfport; numerous beloved cousins; and a host of family and friends.

Pallbearers are Chris Branning, Josh Branning, Jim Hunter Hutson, Matt Lewis, Steve Bishop, and James Hawley.

Honorary pallbearers are the Board Members of Southwest Community College.

A visitation will be held at Sharkey Funeral Home in Summit, MS, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Friday, September 8, 2023. The funeral service will be at 10:00 AM Saturday, September 9, 2023, at Unity Memorial Presbyterian Church in Liberty, MS, with Dr. David Millican and Rev. Casey Albritton officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made to Southwest Community College or Unity Memorial Presbyterian Church.