Funeral Service Live Stream:
Obituary:
Mr. W. Alton Lewis, 79, of Kettering, MD, passed away on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center. Alton was born on May 19, 1942 in Grindstone, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest son of Alfred Lewis and Elizabeth Shaw Lewis. Alton graduated from Joshua F. Pearl High School in 1960 and Fisk University in 1964 with a Bachelor of History degree (both in Nashville, TN). He received his Juris Doctor degree from Howard University, Washington, D.C., in 1969.
While a student at Fisk University, Alton met the love of his life, Vannetta Veronica Alford. Alton and Vannetta spent their college days participating in campus greek life as members of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, respectively. Alton also maintained a campus job working at the television studio where they pioneered the technology of broadcasting math classes to classrooms across the campus. Following graduation, Alton moved to Washington, D.C. and attended law school, while Vannetta pursued graduate studies at the George Washington University. The two were married on July 29, 1965. In the summer of 2021, they celebrated 56 wonderful years of married life together.
Alton began his professional life as a claims adjustor for State Farm Insurance Company in 1969. Soon thereafter, he accepted a position as a public prosecutor with the Washington, D.C. court system. He later entered into private law practice with the DeLong Harris Law Firm (Washington, D.C.). Alton would later found the law firm, Lewis, Claire, and Brown, where he practiced for more than 25 years. Towards the end of his career, Alton went into private practice, founding The Lewis Law Firm – Attorneys at Law, where he worked with attorney Shelore Williams. Over the course of his career, he was most proud of the work he did with his home church and congregation, Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church (Kettering, MD), first under the leadership of Rev. Joseph A. Gilmore, Sr. and then with his current pastor, Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Gilmore, Jr.
Surviving are his spouse, Vannetta Veronica Alford Lewis, and his son, Nicholas Alton Lewis (Janelle Schmouder Lewis), Red Hook, NY. Alton was the proud grandfather to one grandson, Robert Walter Lewis. He is predeceased by his mother, father, sister, Sadie Clara Lewis, and brothers, Cleo Lewis, Thomas Lewis, James Lewis, and Alfred Lewis. Also surviving are a dear sister-in-law, Shirley McKenzie Lewis, her children, Gregory Lewis, Jacqueline Lewis Tillman, and Michael Lewis, and their families.
A private family service will take place on Friday, January 14, 2022 at 12:00 PM at St. Barnabas Episcopal Anglican Church, Upper Marlboro, followed by a private family burial at the St. Barnabas cemetery. Friends and relatives may view the live-streamed service at https://dmvmemorials.com/obituary/waltonlewis/.
The family extends their deepest regrets that friends are not able to share in this celebration of Alton’s life in person due to coronavirus. We sincerely appreciate the many expressions of love, support, and prayer.
Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial contributions to Fisk University in the name of “W. Alton Lewis”.
Donations can be made online at: https://connect.fisk.edu/donate
Fisk University
Institutional Advancement
1000 17th Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37208
Please reference “W. Alton Lewis” in the comments or memo when making your memorial gift.
Events
The viewing will be held on Friday, January 14, 2022 at 11:00 am at the St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, located at 14111 Oak Grove Rd, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 (prior to the memorial service).
The memorial service will take place on Friday, January 14, 2022 at 12:00 pm at the St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, located at 14111 Oak Grove Rd, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774. For those unable to attend the service in person, you can participate by viewing the live stream of the the service (please scroll up to see the video).
The interment will take place on Friday, January 14, 2022 at 12:00 pm at the St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, located at 14111 Oak Grove Rd, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 (following to the memorial service).
We are asking everyone to wear a mask and social distance.
Order Of Service
Thank You From DMV Memorials
We had the distinct privilege of serving the Lewis family on Friday January 14, 2021 for the Celebration of Life of W. Alton Lewis at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Upper Marlboro MD. Our staff was fully vaccinated (and boosted) and observed all COVID19 protocols mandated by Prince Georges County.
We’re focused on quality, compassion and community when we capture the final milestone.
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