Rev. Jim Lewis
Passed: April 12, 2026
Charleston, WV
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Rev. Jim Lewis
Passed: April 12, 2026
Charleston, WV
Obituary
athlete, and lifelong advocate for social justice, died April 12,
2026, at age 90. Over six decades of ministry, he was known for his
steadfast commitment to the marginalized, his belief in community
organizing, and his deep devotion to family.
Born in Baltimore in 1935 to Earl Robertson and Sara Selfe, Jim served
as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps, an
experience that shaped his lifelong commitment to peace and the
antiwar movement. He earned All-American honors as a lacrosse goalie
at Washington and Lee University and later completed both the Boston
and Marine Corps Marathons.
After receiving his M.Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary, Jim was
ordained in the Episcopal Church and served parishes across Maryland,
West Virginia, Michigan, North Carolina, and Delaware. His ministry
addressed issues including women’s healthcare, childcare, the AIDS
crisis, LGBTQ+ rights, prison reform, racial justice, and economic
inequality, often placing him on the front lines of protest and civil
disobedience.
From 1974 to 1982, while serving St. John’s Episcopal Church in
Charleston, West Virginia, Jim became active during the West Virginia
Textbook War and helped found Manna Meal, which continues to provide
meals and support to those in need. He also co-founded the West
Virginia chapter of Patriots for Peace.
A leader in the anti-death penalty movement, he helped establish
People of Faith Against the Death Penalty in North Carolina. In
Delaware, he organized the Delmarva Poultry Justice Alliance and
helped launch initiatives including a Latino community center, a
health clinic for the poor, a shelter for battered women, and a
reentry program for formerly incarcerated men. His work was featured
on 60 Minutes in 1999. He also authored several books, including West
Virginia Pilgrim (1976) and The Gulf War: The Churches & Peacemaking
(1997), and received the West Virginia Governor’s Martin Luther King
Jr. “Living the Dream” Award in 1991.
Jim is survived by his daughters, Elizabeth Kendall (Mac Kendall) of
Durham NC, Katherine Lewis, Minneapolis MN, and Deborah Lewis, White
River Junction VT; daughter-in-law Michelle Hoge, Loveland OH; nine
grandchildren: Alex, Katherine, Lewis, Sarah, Jesse, Eva, Jackie,
Ellie, and Sammy; and one great-grandson, Thomas. He was preceded in
death by his wife of 55 years, Judith Graham Lewis, and their son,
Stephen.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on April 25, 2026, at St.
John’s Episcopal Church, 1105 Quarrier Street, Charleston, West
Virginia, with a reception to follow. The Rev. Dr. Carter Heyward will
preach, and the Rt. Rev. Matthew Cowden will preside.
St. John’s Episcopal Church will be livestreaming at
https://www.youtube.com/live/vhLX3Yyn4-4?si=QDaxfZR4Kz_GpX_6 or
https://www.facebook.com/st.charleston. (You may need to copy and paste the link to view.)
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to
WV FREE (wvfree.org or P.O. Box 11042, Charleston, WV 25339), Manna
Meal (mannameal.org or P.O. Box 3913, Charleston, WV 25339), or St.
Christopher’s Episcopal Church (821 Edgewood Drive, Charleston, WV
25302).
10 responses to Rev. Jim Lewis
Fr. Olof Scott says:
April 25, 2026
To the Family of the Rev. Jim Lewis,
“With the saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Thy servant, the Rev. Jim Lewis, in that place of brightness, that place of verdure, that place of repose, where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing but life everlasting.” (Memorial hymn of the Orthodox Church)
“Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tomb bestowing life.” (Troparion of Holy Pascha, Easter)
It is with sadness, but with the hope of the Holy Resurrection, that we received the news of our friend and colleague, Jim Lewis, upon his passing to the eternal Church Triumphant. We arrived at St. George Orthodox Church in Charleston at the end of June,1976, and were clergy family colleagues through ’82 while he was at St. John’s.
In spite of those times that our opinions on theology and social issues didn’t align, we were always cordial and cooperative in the ministries that united our main-line churches in the city of Charleston (Manna Meal, Covenant House, RCCR, Samaritan Inn, etc.).
After your father and mother returned to Charleston in retirement, Eva and Judy got to know each other doing water aerobics at the YWCA.
May the Peace of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ comfort and strengthen you from this time forward, and may the memories of Jim and Judy Lewis be eternal!
Yours in Christ,
Very Rev. Fr. Olof (Dean Emeritus) and Eva Scott,
St. George Orthodox Cathedral, Charleston, WV
Patti Stamper says:
April 25, 2026
Jim was a great guy. He would talk to me for hours about what’s going on in the world. I absolutely love talking to him. He will be missed.
Carla Shaffer Guthrie says:
April 25, 2026
My heartfelt condolences to Beth, Debbie, Katherine, and all the rest of his family and friends. The first homily I ever heard from Jim Lewis was the first time I ever heard that Jesus loves me as I am. I’ve never forgotten those words. I converted to the Episcopal Church and Jim brought those words to every one he met. He was part of both happy and sad moments for me and my family. Even though I am now Catholic, I am sad to know that he has passed. He bought great joy and comfort to so many; he will be missed. May perpetual light shine upon him.
Jim Rodgers says:
April 24, 2026
Jim Lewis was so many things to so many people. To me, he was a teacher, a minister, a coach, a mentor and above all else, a beloved family friend. His kindness and wise words were always respected and taken to heart. He came to Martinsburg circa early 1970’s, and shook up the old ways of the Trinity Episcopal Church. He encouraged new members to attend our services. Members of other churches, people who had no church, basically anyone who wanted to attend and receive the Word and hear the truth. One Sunday service he brought in a group to perform “Jesus Christ Super Star” (if my memory serves me). The church was packed, with people sitting in the window sills and standing in the aisles. It was an amazing event, and it famously ruffled the tail faithers of the elderly regular church goers. Good times. Later in life, he presided over the memorial services for our mother, Peggy Rodgers, and after that, our father (Bill Rodgers). The Rodgers family was truly blessed to have him in our lives.
A favorite memory of mine goes back to my teenage days, when I was going through confirmation. He was my instructor, and one of his lessons was the detailed analysis of the Lord’s Prayer. We went through each line and talked about the meaning in great detail. Now, when I say the prayer each night, I think about Jim Lewis and how he taught me to revere the words and meaning of the prayer. RIP Jim Lewis, you had a life well lived, and you will be missed.
Above all else, I wish blessings and comfort to the Lewis Family. May the warm memories of his love help guide you through this difficult time.
Mary McKown says:
April 24, 2026
I hold many, many memories of Jim’s kindness, compassion, competence…in my heart with gratitude and much love. What a blessing, to have known him.