Rachel J. Lewis

Rachel Lewis Obituary In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association https://www.alz.org/cleveland?form=FUNDHYMMBXU Rachel Julia (Mell) Lewis was born to Julian Cooper Mell, Jr. and Lena (Bryant) Mell in Cleveland, Ohio. She was the 2nd eldest of 7 children. She was preceded in death by her sister Dorothy, and brothers Wilbur Samuel, Julian,II, Robert, and Wilbur. To mourn her loss she leaves behind her brother Martin Mell (Shirley), daughters Diana Thomas and Darlene Walker, grandchildren Curtis Walker (Marie), Dionne Thomas, Davina Farrell, and Deva Walker, great grandchildren Georgia, Jordan, Tiree, Jadzia, Xander, and Riley, and a host of relatives. Rachel enjoyed crocheting, cooking, drawing, painting, writing stories, poetry, playing the organ/piano, dancing the Charleston, and listening to radio programs. As a child, Rachel enjoyed free outdoor movies at the Hiram House with two-cent milk and one-penny for graham crackers. To serve her country during WWII she worked on planes as a Rosy the Riveter at the Cleveland Bomber Plant. She was paid $0.90/hour, worked 10 hours a day, and 7 days a week. Rachel regularly read her Bible along with attending Bible study groups and attended church services. She was recording secretary for meetings at Lee Heights Evangelical Mennonite Community Church. Rachel was a homemaker until her youngest daughter was in sixth grade. She attended the Jane Adams Career Center, Food Service Supervisor course. Helping her to gain employment at Mt. Sinai Hospital as a Food Service Supervisor and in multiple schools in the Shaker Hts. School District. The Sears and Roebuck Coffee Shop Service position found her bringing home wonderful pastries from the in-store Hough Bakeries. Her love of sewing translated to a job at the Cleveland Fabric Shop in the Lee-Harvard Shopping Center. Rachel worked at the J. V. Lewis Co. Manufacturer of Fine Ice Cream & Punches after WWII. Rachel returned to college at the CCC Eastern Campus Displaced Homemaker Program and Arts program 1974-1979 and received an Outstanding Artwork award and Dean's List. Rachel was a Student Assistant for CCC Eastern Campus Art Director. She later worked for the Women's City Club/City Club Foundation at Civic House. Rachel had an exhibit of 5 pieces of artwork at the CCC Eastern Campus in 1975 and an exhibit of 16 pieces of her artwork at Cuyahoga County Public Library- Maple Heights Branch in March 1980. She participated in and taught arts/crafts at the Warrensville Hts. Community Center Senior programs. Her favorite dance was The Charleston. At 101 she would pull you aside with her walker and expect you to dance The Charleston with her. She would dance with anyone at any time. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rachel J. Lewis, please visit our floral store. Read More

Rachel J. Lewis

March 7, 1923 - March 10, 2025