Mable Maude Lewis

able Maude Lewis was born to William 'Bill' Holt and Cleo Younger Holt on April 20th, 1937, in Lexington, Nebraska. Mable was born the 4th of five daughters to the Holts.

Her early childhood was spent living in Alamosa, CO. As young girls, Mable and her sister Mary would catch water snakes and put them in jars. She was always up for an adventure and never showed fear. This was a trait that remained true to her character all of her life. Their family later moved to Durango, Colorado, where she and her sisters gained quite a following performing acrobatic and gymnastic shows.

Mable met her future husband, Virgil 'Ray' Lewis on a double date. The two married on August 24th, 1955. They spent the early years of their marriage between Durango, Colorado, and Randle, WA. In 1966, they moved from their home on 5th Avenue in Durango the Florida Mesa where they crop-shared to earn the 160 acre farm where they spent the rest of their lives.

Mable and Ray were the proud parents of four beautiful daughters, Karen, Doreen, Loreen, and Sarah. They spent their farming years raising wheat, hay, pigs, and other livestock. Later in life, Mable continued to farm the land, while taking care of her husband, until she was 75 years old. Ray and Mable shared 61 years together before he went home to the Lord on December 30th, 2016.

Mable was a loving, selfless soul and a tremendous caregiver to many family members in need throughout the years. She was the matriarch of the family, never missing a birthday call to her children and grandchildren. Her family was the joy of her life. She touched many lives with her kindness and her giving spirit.

Mable loved baking, tending her beautiful flower garden, traveling, crocheting, knitting, dancing, music, and playing slots at the casino. She passed on her love of music to her family around her, and often played gospel and country music from her kitchen radio. The last song she asked to be played before her death was "It's Me Again Jesus" by Charlie Pride. She was an exceptional cook and showed her love for her family through her food. Even as her health failed in her last days, she was concerned foremost that those gathered by her side were well-fed.

Those who knew her will forever remember her sassy, adventurous spirit. She snowmobiled on Wolf Creek Pass, parasailed and zip lined on vacation in Jamaica, and traveled the world, all while she was in her eighties. She was always up to shocking family and those around her, whether scolding Chip and Dales dancers in Las Vegas for their choice of livelihood or dying her hair purple. Every Halloween, she made goodies for any grandkids who would come by to trick or treat. One year, she even dressed up in a sheet and hid in one of the cottonwood trees in the yard-scaring the tar out of her grandkids as they came by.

Mable was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and friend. One friend spoke of her as an angel on earth, which she truly was. Mable accepted Christ as her personal Savior at a revival in her early teens and loved the Lord. The confidence in her salvation and steadfast hope of heaven brought her strength throughout her life and peace in her last days.

She is survived by her sisters Ann Waters, Billie Geisler, and Jackie Holt-Martin, along with daughters Karen Lewis-Cady, Doreen Basye, Loreen Johnson, and Sarah Bauman, ten grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Mable, Mom, Grandma,

You were the pillar of our family, the rock that steadied us, and the tie that bonded us.

We will miss you greatly.

Love-love.