Eric Dwain Lewis
Eric Dwain Lewis
Graveside services for Eric Dwain Lewis, 79, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 23, 2023, at State Line Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Lewis passed away at 6:58 a.m., Thursday, June 15, 2023, at Ozarks Medical Center.
He was born September 12, 1943, to Donald Lewis and Lois Tyree Lewis. On July 24, 1962, he was married at Moko, Arkansas, to Opal Earlene Holloway. Mr. Lewis was a member of the Church of Christ and had been a Preacher for over 50 years. He loved to play bluegrass music on his guitar and was involved in several bluegrass bands. Eric was the founder of the George D. Hay Society; he formed it to preserve the history and the love of bluegrass music.
He is survived by his wife, Opal Earlene Lewis, of the family home; three daughters, Jeannie Lewis, West Plains, Evette Prill, Pomona, Missouri and Erica McMillian and husband, Tatum, West Plains; four grandchildren, Ashley Painter and husband, Jared, Nicole Bennett, Megan Cale and Logan McMillian, all of West Plains; eight great-grandchildren and one on the way; two brothers, Danny Lewis and wife, Linda, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Lanny Lewis and wife, Dee, West Plains; one sister, Sherry Martin and husband, Bill, Mountain View, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.
His parents, one sister, Beverly Noble and one brother, Ken Lewis, preceded him in death.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Paragould Children’s Home and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO 65775.
Randall and Teresa (Eldringhoff) Romans
June 16, 2023 @ 4:12 pm
Family, please accept our sincere condolences.
Erica McMillian
June 17, 2023 @ 11:24 am
Thank you.
Gary Pliler
June 16, 2023 @ 4:31 pm
I am so saddened at the loss of my friend Eric!! Prayers for family!!
Seena Walker
June 17, 2023 @ 2:37 pm
Eric will be missed. Enjoyed hearing him play & sing. We knew he had been in bad health for quite some time. Condolences to the family.
DennisReese
June 17, 2023 @ 2:37 pm
So sorry for your lost. Eric was a good friend and will be missed. Prayers for you and your loved ones.
Mary E Evans
June 17, 2023 @ 3:16 pm
Lewis family, so sad for your loss.
Donna Newberry
June 22, 2023 @ 8:33 pm
Sorry for your loss. I worked with Eric years ago at the dairy.
Donna and Noble Newberry
Kathy Judd
June 22, 2023 @ 8:37 pm
Your music will be missed here. But I’m sure you will be playing in Heaven’s band. Rest in Peace, my friend.
Matt Meacham
June 25, 2023 @ 10:24 pm
I was very sorry to hear of Eric’s passing. He was a genuinely kindhearted person who offered affirmation and encouragement to those around him, including his fellow musicians. He was deeply dedicated to the musical and cultural traditions of his region, and he contributed greatly toward sustaining and promoting those traditions. In multiple ways, he gave of himself for the benefit of others. I learned a lot from him and am very grateful for his friendship. I’ll miss him, for sure, but I have many fond memories to carry with me. Peace and many blessings to Eric’s family and friends.