Joann Lewis

Joann Catherine Hellman Lewis 84 of Danville, VA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at Transitions Life Care Hospice in Raleigh, NC. She was born on December 1, 1932 in Danville to Joseph A. Hellman and Hilda Seiler Hellman.  She was married to the love of her life, L. Langston Lewis on March 1, 1954.  They resided for many years at 150 Marshall Terrace.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, her parents and her two brothers, Walter and Richard Hellman. She graduated from George Washington High School in 1951.  As a young adult she worked at the Danville Dairy.  She spent many years as the Front Desk Manager at the Holiday Inn /Stratford Inn, retiring in 1997.  In retirement she volunteered at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Danville as a Eucharist Minister, on the Bereavement Committee, and on the Monday Finance Committee.  She always kept faith, family and friends close to her heart. She was a loving Mother to the end of her life.  She is survived by her four children and their spouses:  Paul and Babs Lewis, Dallas and Mary Catherine Lewis Swiney, Don and Margaret Lewis Ridgeway, Sonny and Jean Lewis Gupta.  She is also survived by her four grandchildren and their spouses:  Craig and Stephanie Lewis Thompson, John Paul and Mallory Stokes Lewis, Will and Katie Ridgeway Grossenbacher, and Alex Ridgeway.  She is also survived by her sister Rosemary Hellman Haley. The family would also like to honor her dear friends Donna Jean Kirk Fowlkes and The Reverend Charles L. Breindel. Visitation will take place on Friday, May 19th 2017 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Townes Funeral Home, 215 West Main Street, Danville, VA. A funeral Mass celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, May 20th 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 538 Central Blvd., Danville, VA. Immediately following, a graveside service will take place at Highland Burial Park in Danville. Flowers are welcomed.  If desired, donations may be made to the following organizations: Sacred Heart Catholic Church Danville, VA, Sacred Heart Catholic School Danville, VA, Transitions Life Care Raleigh, NC.