Ronald Emanuel Lewis, Sr. (Age 68) of La Plata, Maryland.

The Journey of
Ronald Emanuel Lewis

Ronald Emanuel Lewis, affectionately known as Ronnie, was born on January 30, 1948, in Washington, DC, to the late Willie Landis and Rosalie Scott Lewis. Ronnie accepted Christ as his Personal Savior at an early age when he was baptized at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, in Orange, VA.

He was educated in the DC Public School System and was very proud to be a member of the ROTC (he looked so good in his uniform). He furthered his education at DC Teacher's College. Ronnie was an excellent artist who aspired to be an architect. Instead he decided to join the U.S. Air Force and he went to Amarillo, TX for basic training. He served four years in the Air Force, as an aircraft mechanic in the South Carolina area. He returned to the DC area with an Honorable Discharge and landed a job with the U.S. Government. After working behind a desk for a number of years, boredom set in and he became an entrepreneur, opening his own 7-Eleven franchise. That was enjoyable, (but frustrating) so he decided to give it up and return to his "Good Government Job", where he retired in August of 2003.

Ronnie loved people and enjoyed inviting them into his home, where they could enjoy his hot and spicy spaghetti and smoked ribs. He was a big talker and never met a stranger. He was an income tax preparer and was always excited during income tax season. He could not wait for his clients to arrive. This meant long conversations and catching up with the latest gossip.

Ronnie was a dedicated and loving husband, a very proud father and grandfather. He loved hanging out with his family, making their favorite meals and taking family trips. Ronnie was a loving son, brother and uncle. He loved his in-laws and they were truly family to him. He always looked forward to big holiday celebrations where everyone could be together.

Following a long illness, he peacefully departed this life on March 30, 2016, at Fort Washington Community Hospital, Fort Washington, MD.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his father, Willie Landis Lewis and his only brother Landis Duwayne Lewis.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his loving wife, of 41 years, Vanessa Harrison Lewis, of the home; his mother, Rosalie Scott Lewis, Oxon Hill, MD; his three angels, Ronald "Boo" Emanuel Lewis, Jr. (Kimberly), Lexington Park, MD, Yahron O. Lewis (April), Oxon Hill, MD, Brandon K. Lewis (Tonya), LaPlata, MD; twelve grandchildren: Mia, Keion, Janiya, Tyrik, Jamari, Aaron, Jalise, Aaliyah, Na'shay, Shiaja, Jaleen and Darrien; two great grandchildren: Tasiah and Zhair; three sisters: Jacqueline Lewis Dickens (William), LaPlata, MD, Teresa Lewis Washington and Shari Lynn Lewis both of Oxon Hill, MD.; three aunts: Mabel Scott Lewis, Detroit, MI, Cora Scott Hamilton, Phil., PA, and Julia Scott Warren, Washington, DC; one uncle: Clayton Lewis, Oxon Hill, MD; his second family, the Harrison's; many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and a multitude of friends.

Viewing, 10a.m. until time of Service, 11a.m., Friday, April 15, 2016 in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland.

Interment, 1:45p.m., Maryland Veterans Cemetery, 11301 Crain Highway, Cheltenham, Maryland.