Sara Cornelia Braswell Lewis, wife, mother, Nana, and friend to many passed away peacefully in the presence of family on Friday evening September 5, 2025, at American House Assisted Living in Knoxville TN.

Sara was born in Walterboro, South Carolina to Sara Hariette and Lewis Edward Braswell, Jr. In her early years she moved around South Carolina when her father was transferred by his work. She attended and graduated high school in Ridgeland, SC and moved on to nursing school in Savannah, GA. While there she met the love of her life, the late John Mack Lewis, Sr. who she called Jimmie, stationed at Hunter Air Force Base nearby. They married and moved to the Elizabethton, TN area where she spent the majority of her years on the same property. She worked for a short while at North American Rayon Corporation as the plant nurse until her health and the coming of her children changed her career to that of housewife and mother. Together she and Jimmie lived the life of a farmer while they raised two children. Among the many titles Sara held were Cub Scout Den Mother and Girls in Action leader for the Women's Mission Union at Oak Stret Baptist Church where she was a member and attended regularly as long as was able.

Sara's interests and talents were many. She was a seamstress, a crafter, and an excellent cook. She always put others before herself, especially when it came to her family. Sara was afflicted with many health issues mostly involving her joints at first. Even so she would work tirelessly to make sure her family was taken care of physically, emotionally, and most importantly, spiritually. Her health problems increased, but her spirit never quelled.

She loved the nature God created and spent many hours in her front porch rocker watching the birds, the flowers, and the occasional deer. Sara also kept vigil over her three little ladies, Prissy, Tippy, and Sweety; three abandoned kittens found in the garage one September evening. These three enriched her and Jimmie's live for nearly 20 years and kept her company after his passing.

There is sadness at the loss of having Sara near, but this is overshadowed with the joy of her being free from her pain and limitations, resting in the arms of Jesus and the company of those who have gone on before.

Sara is survived by her daughter, Sara Jennifer (the late Rodney) Earp of Clayton, NC; her son John Mack (Donna) Lewis, Jr. of Maryville, TN; her brothers Luther Carol (the late Debbie) Braswell of Waxhaw, NC and Lewis Edward (Karen) Braswell, III of Charleston, SC; granddaughter Sara Caitlin Earp of Kannapolis, NC; grandson William Scott Earp of Smithfield, NC; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Sara always considered herself blessed with having all she needed and had a concern for those who did not, especially those who did not have enough food. With this in mind, memorial donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Second Harvest Food Bank of East TN; www.secondharvestetn.org.

Graveside Service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, September 11, 2025, in Happy Valley Memorial Park with Pastor Jack Greenoe officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Condolences may be sent to the family at our web-site www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.

Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Lewis family