Monsignor Jerry Lewis, 92, dies in Raleigh

December 16, 2024

Diocese of Raleigh

Monsignor Gerald Lawrence Lewis, a priest of the Diocese of Raleigh for 63 years, died Monday, Dec. 16, 2024 at his home in Raleigh. He was 92.

He was born Oct. 13, 1932 in Biloxi, Mississippi to John L. Lewis, Jr. and Ann Elena Raley Lewis and raised alongside his siblings John, Harold, Ray and Emily Ann.

He served in the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps, which brought him to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. He earned a B.A. from St. Mary's College in Kentucky and a M.A. from St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore, Maryland. He was ordained to the priesthood May 11, 1961 at St. Mary Church in Goldsboro.

During his tenure in the diocese, he served as pastor of more than seven parishes, including St. Raphael the Archangel, where he served from 1978 until 1989.

His first priestly assignment in 1961 was in North Wilkesboro, and he returned there four years later. At the time the Diocese of Raleigh included the entire state of North Carolina and [then] Father Lewis served St. John Baptist de LaSalle Parish and the nearby mission of St. Stephen. He was assistant pastor (1962-1963) and pastor (1970-1972) of Annunciation in Havelock and temporary chaplain at N.C. State University (1968 - 1969). From 1968 until 1970 he was pastor of St. Mary, Mother of the Church Parish in Garner.

He was assigned twice to Sacred Heart in Raleigh, which was the cathedral for the diocese at the time. From 1972 - 1973 he was administrator and he served as rector from 1989 until 1992.

He was pastor of Good Shepherd in Hope Mills (1992 - 1993) and St. Thomas More in Chapel Hill (1993 - 1995).

He was chancellor from 1973 until 1978 and vicar general from 1992 until 2002. In other administrative roles for the Diocese of Raleigh, he directed Religious Education, the Office of Vocations and the Office of Communications in the 1960s and he directed the Bishop's Annual Appeal in the 1970s.

He unsuccessfully retired in 2002 and continued to offer service in many roles, such as diocesan archivist, priestly minister at Our Lady of the Rosary in Louisburg and administrator of St. Peter the Fisherman in Oriental, St. Paul in New Bern and St. Mildred in Swansboro. Known for his pastoral nature and ability to share stories rich with details, he had a long memory of North Carolina and its people.

During a 2021 Mass to celebrate his 60th anniversary to the priesthood, he said, “Just as I preach to you, you preach to me in so many ways. Just as I strive to care for you, you care and provide for me. We are a family, together. I celebrate the priesthood here tonight, but not alone.”

The Lewis Award, honoring Catholic school educators in the diocese, was initiated in 1992 in his honor. In 2002 he received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award, North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, for his significant contributions to the state.

Please include among your intentions, especially at Mass, the repose of the soul of Monsignor Lewis and the comfort of all who mourn his death.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lewis Award Endowment Fund at https://www.lewisaward.org/donate or by mail to The Lewis Award, Catholic Schools Office, 7200 Stonehenge Drive, Raleigh, NC 27613.

Funeral Arrangements

Vigil - Thursday, Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Raphael the Archangel Church in Raleigh; Father Michael Burbeck presiding

Viewing and Visitation - Thursday, Dec. 19 from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at St. Raphael the Archangel Church in Raleigh. Light refreshments will be available.

Funeral Mass - Friday, Dec. 20 at 10 a.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral in Raleigh. Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama presiding; Father Chris Koehn homilist. Burial to follow at Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery in Newton Grove.