Mary Sue (Harris) Lewis died peacefully in her sleep Feb. 10, 2026 following a brief illness, which followed 100 years of joyful life in Arkansas. Mary Sue was born Sept. 18, 1925, in Batesville to Wallace and Myrle Harris. Four years later came the Great Depression, in which she learned from her inventive parents how to live frugally and appreciate what you have, traits she passed along to her children and grandchildren.

She graduated from Batesville High School, recognized by the faculty as the Outstanding Girl in her class. She attended Little Rock Junior College, then the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, earning a BA in Home Economics. She then taught Home Ec to young women at Paragould High School for six years before joining Arkansas Power & Light as a home economist. Her job there was to spread the word through home demonstrations and TV appearances that life was better with the convenience of electric appliances. After three years with AP&L, dear friends Ken and Nicki Johnson introduced her to journalist Bill Lewis, who was to become her loving husband for 68 years until he died a year ago Christmas Eve. Once married, she put her home ec training to work as a full-time professional mom, managing the household and raising two sons, Greg and David.

Mary Sue will be remembered by the many who loved her as a faithful friend whose priority in life was to nurture relationships with those she cared for, whether childhood friends (Skeeter!), neighbors, or members of the Bowen-Cabe Sunday School Class at First United Methodist Church. At the top of her list always was her beloved family, which included her two sons, their five children, their spouses, and, lately, two great grandchildren.

Mary Sue was predeceased by her parents, Wallace and Myrle Harris; her sister, Margaret DiCocco and her husband, Bill Lewis.

Mary Sue is survived by sons, Dr. Gregory Lewis (Dr. Mary Strek) and David Lewis; Greg’s children, Jeremy Lewis (Florian Strob), Rebecca Lewis (Peter Tierney), and Roy Lewis (Noah Whiteman);  David’s children, Kelcie Stone (Patrick) and Emily Day (Steven); great grandsons, Lucas Stone and August Tierney, as well as honorary daughter-in-law Dr. Ashley Deed.

Following cremation, a celebration of life will be held at a later date. She would be honored to have memorials made in her name to First United Methodist Church.  Cremation Services of Arkansas (501)313-5431