Aleta Edna Lewis, 99, peacefully returned to her Heavenly home on August 9, 2020 in Hyrum, Utah, after a life well lived. She was born to Harley Sereno Smith and Janie McCrary on March 22, 1921 in Wabash County, Illinois.
Aleta was one of the few remaining members of the "Greatest Generation." She entered the U.S. Army at 22 years of age and served 2 1/2 years in the Women’s Army Corp in Washington D.C. during WWII. It was during her service that she met James George Lewis and they were married on August 24, 1946 in Pennsville, New Jersey. Together they had 3 daughters - JoElla (Larry) Survance, Michigan; Georgia (Dennis) Seals, Utah; Marcella (Dale) Miller, Illinois.
Aleta knew the value of hard work and supported her family and community for 30-plus years working at Security Bank and Trust in Mount Carmel, Illinois. She followed that as a secretary for the Parkview Christian Church until in her late 80’s.
She and George raised large gardens and shared their bountiful produce with many people throughout Wabash County. Her time spent working and serving her community allowed her to form many friendships she treasured throughout her life.
At the age of 95, she learned to knit hats on round looms. In her last years, she created over 1,000 hats that she donated to the Huntsman Cancer Center and the school children in Cache Valley, Utah. She was an avid reader and continued to read as long as her sight allowed. Her favorites were books on faith, which was a reflection of her deep devotion to her Savior, Jesus Christ.
Her final years were spent living with her daughters and being a part of their families, getting acquainted with many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren who lovingly referred to her as Great Grandma Great or "Triple G". She formed a very special bond with her first great-great-grandson, Weston Neilson, who brought her so much joy and laughter.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter JoElla, brothers, Gerald, Harold, Eugene, Duane, and sister Mildred Markman. She is survived by her older sister, Marie Hedge, daughters, Georgia and Marcella, 7 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandsons.
The family would like to express their deepest thanks to Leslie, Becki, and rest of the Symbii Homecare and Hospice team, who lovingly and respectfully cared for Aleta for 5 years, as well as to the staff at Cache Valley Assisted Living and Blacksmith Fork Assisted Living.
A Memorial Service will be held Friday, August 21, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Short Funeral Home in Mt. Carmel, 527 N Mulberry St. Mt. Carmel, IL. There will be visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Graveside services and inurnment will take place in the spring at Highland Memorial Cemetery, Mount Carmel, Illinois.
Donations in her memory can be made to Parkview Christian Church, Route 1 North, Mt. Carmel, Illinois 62863. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com
Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve Aleta’s family.
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