Rev. Raymond O. Lewis, BA, M.Div

Rev. Raymond O. Lewis BA, M.Div. age 89 of Benton, KY passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Calvert City Convalescent Center in Calvert City, KY.

Born March 27, 1936 in Madison, IL, he was the son of Joseph Frank and Christa O. Lewis.  He graduated in 1955 from Madison Senior High in Madison, IL.

Rev. Lewis was called into ministry in the summer of 1956 at 20 years old.  He spent his first year of college at McKendree College in Lebanon, IL in the fall of 1958

He married Loretta M. Shaver on July 6, 1960.  They moved to Ouachita Baptist College in Arkadelpha, Arkansas.  He was ordained in May 1962.  In 1964, he returned to finish college at Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar, MO.  He graduated in 1968, and in the fall went to Midwestern Baptist Seminary in Kansas City, MO where he achieved his Master's Degree.

Rev. Lewis pastored in 4 states, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, and Kentucky.  In Northern KY, he served on the police clergy team from 1975-1980.  In Marshall County, he was chaplain at the boy scout camp Roy C. Manchester for 15 summers from 1984-1999.  He pastored at Union Ridge Baptist in Aurora for 7.5 years 1980-1988, Pleasant Hope Baptist for 5 years, and New Beginning in Paducah for 3 years.

Surviving are his wife, Loretta M. (Shaver) Lewis, son, Dennis Lewis (Kelly) of Benton, KY, daughters, Donna R. Lewis of Water Valley, KY, Diana R. Watkins (Chuck) of Benton, KY, 6 grandchildren, Amanda Franklin (Troy), Joshua Treadway (Stephanie), Angel Lewis, Hunter Stubblefield, Dylan Lewis, Emma Lewis, and 5 great-grandchildren.

A Funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Collier Funeral Chapel located at 211 West 5th St. Benton, KY 42025 with Dennis Lewis officiating. 

Interment will follow in Marshall Co. Memory Gardens, Benton, KY.

Visitation will be held between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Collier Funeral Home.