2018 Third Extraordinary Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 4
BY SENATOR BOUDREAUX
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
death of Joseph John Lewis III.
WHEREAS, it is with profound sorrow that the Senate of the Legislature of
Louisiana has learned of the passing of Joseph John Lewis III on June 7, 2018, at the age of
seventy-eight; and
WHEREAS, Joseph John Lewis III was born on January 1, 1940, to Joseph John
Lewis Jr. and Mary Lou King Lewis; and
WHEREAS, he was raised on the family farm, attended J. S. Clark High School, and
later joined his older brother, George, to work at a fish plant in Texas; and
WHEREAS, from there, Joseph Lewis joined Union 692 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana,
and worked as a laborer, working on pipelines until he retired when, along with his wife, he
became a successful business owner providing affordable housing within the community;
and
WHEREAS, Joseph Lewis married the love of his life, Dolly Mae Birotte, and from
this union two children were born: Danielle Marie Lewis Castain and Victor Paul Lewis; and
WHEREAS, he was a devoted member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church; and
WHEREAS, Joseph and Dolly worked freely as community servants and campaigned
for the candidates they thought would better serve their country, state, or local community;
and
WHEREAS, Joseph Lewis was an ambassador for the National Federation of the
Blind for over twenty-five years; his work as an advocate for the blind included travels to
many places including Washington, DC, where, as a delegate, he lobbied to bring Braille
into schools and earned the Jerry Hemphill Award, which is named for an individual who
promoted Braille; and
WHEREAS, he was also president of the Magnificent 7 Social and Civic Club with
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the main mission being to unite the community through public awareness on social services,
celebrating children through parents, and hosting two free balls a year where several hundred
people were in attendance; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lewis was known by many as either Joseph, Joe Lewis, Jivey Joe,
or the nickname "Bay" that his parents gave him, and he answered to all; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Lewis loved spending time with his family and traveling; his
hobbies were attending horse racing with friends, tailgating while attending the New Orleans
Saints football games with his son, and watching western movies and sports; and
WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his father, Joseph John Lewis Jr., and
mother, Mary Lou King Lewis; four brothers, Paul, George, Johnny, and Dennis Lewis; his
grandparents, aunts, and uncles; nephews, Michael, Patrick (Pa Pat), Michael Todd Lewis
(Toddy); a niece, Rhonda Lewis Taylor; a brother-in-law, James Carroll; and sisters-in-law,
Willie Vie Lewis and Grace Lewis; and
WHEREAS, he leaves to cherish his memory his wife of fifty-seven years, Dolly
Lewis; one daughter, Danielle Lewis Castain and husband, Joseph (J.C.) Castain; one son,
Victor (VPL) Lewis and wife, Tiffanie Griffin Lewis; five grandchildren, Joseph Soban
Castain III and wife, Elecia, Alexandra Castain Patel and husband, Kunal, Jazmond Castain,
Kyra Lewis, and Zion Lewis; two great-grandchildren, Ava and Zoey Castain; three brothers,
Lawrence Lewis (Pumpkin) and wife, Linda (Sac), Rodney Lewis (Black) and wife,
Priscilla, and Jimmy Lewis and wife; five sisters, Elizabeth Jones, Gloria Carroll, Willie
Mae Hughey and husband, William, Mary Chachere and husband, Russell, and Jeanette
Chachere and husband, Glenn; sisters-in-law, Ruby Lewis and Barbara Lewis; two
goddaughters, Terry Gauthier and Peggy Noel; devoted longtime friends, Robert Lee Davis
and Gerald Hardy (Poochie), and many special nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and
friends; and
WHEREAS, he was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather,
brother, uncle, godfather, and friend who was admired and respected by many and, upon his
death, the world lost a unique individual who left an indelible mark and huge void for
family, friends, clients, community, and all those who had the privilege to have known him;
and
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WHEREAS, the strength of our communities and the overall vitality of American
society depend, in great measure, upon the dedication of men like Joseph John Lewis III who
use their talents and resources to leave a legacy and to benefit future generations.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of Joseph John Lewis
III, does hereby extend appreciation for the pride and honor that he will forever bring to his
community and to the state of Louisiana, and does hereby recognize and record for posterity
his outstanding accomplishments and his legacy of work for the blind and for his
community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
widow of Joseph John Lewis III, Dolly Lewis.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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