Pop Lewis' life is celebrated at road dedication ceremony

Family and friends gathered at The Lincoln Center on Monday, September 22, to dedicate a portion of Georgia Highway 47 as the James Roy "Pop" Lewis Memorial Highway and to celebrate the musical icon's 103rd birthday. Pictured with one of the road signs are Pop's children: (l-r) Miggie Lewis, Janis L. Phillips, Talmadge Lewis, Esley Lewis, Polly L. Copsey, and "Little Roy" Lewis.

"Pop would be honored, but humbled, not thinking that he deserved any of this. For you see, Pop never realized how famous he was; he didn't realize he was a star." - - Dr. Edward McCurry

On Monday, September 22, family and friends gathered at The Lincoln Center to dedicate a portion of Georgia Highway 47 as the James Roy "Pop" Lewis Highway and to celebrate the musical legend's 103rd birthday.

The bill to dedicate the highway to Pop's memory was sponsored by Bill Jackson in the Georgia Senate and Barry Fleming in the House of Representatives.

The "new" highway runs in front of the house where Pop was living as a five-year-old as well as the house where he was living when he passed away on March 24, 2004, at the age of 98. He spent most of his life on that stretch of road which is now named after him.

All of the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of James Roy "Pop" Lewis and Pauline "Mom" Lewis were present at the dedication ceremony naming a portion of Georgia Highway 47 in memory of Pop.

Born at the turn of one century and living through the Great Depression and two World Wars and into the next century, Pop had a long and rewarding life.

He left Pickens, South Carolina, in 1910 at the age of five, traveled by train to McCormick, and then by surrey and ferry to Lincoln County.

When he was 20, Pop "stole" the love of his life, Pauline "Mom" Lewis from the second story of her parents' home and whisked her off to McCormick to get married.

Mom was Pop's "One Rose" for 77 years, until her death in February of 2003.

As a young man, Pop did a little bit of everything - he bought and sold eggs as well as livestock, he got a truck and worked for a paving company, and helped build the Savannah River Plant, which was called "The Bomb Plant" at the time.

Over the years, Mom and Pop had eight children: Miggie, Esley, Talmadge, "Little Roy," Polly L. Copsey, Janis L. Phillips, and Mosley and Wallace, who are deceased.

Like their mother and father, the children were born with a prodigious amount of musical talent and what started out as bluegrass jam sessions on the screened-in porch turned into a career that garnered national and international recognition for the Lewis Family, which is known as "America's First Family of Bluegrass Gospel Music," and for Lincoln County.

Mom and Pop's grandchildren and great-grandchildren have also inherited the musical genes.

Presiding over the dedication ceremony was Walker Norman, a family friend as well as chairman of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Throughout the ceremony, the chairman entertained the audience with anecdotes about Pop.

Norman also expressed his appreciation to WJBF-TV (Channel 6), which has supported the Lewis Family throughout the years and still hosts the family's annual Christmas special.

From 1954 until 1991, the famous family had their own weekly television on Channel 6. The telecast went into syndication for a time and held a national record for longevity. Emcees included Steve Manderson; Bob Young, the former mayor of Augusta; and Allen Quarles, who was present at the ceremony.

Following the invocation by Alana Burke, executive director of the Lincoln County Development Authority, Sheri Easter, Pop's granddaughter, took the podium.

"We all make choices - - our lives are a succession of choices. Good people, who are successful, are those who make a great succession of choices. Pop did this. I'm grateful for that heritage and the kind of man that Pop was."

Sheri then pointed out that two of the best things her grandfather gave his family and friends were wit and the love of music. "They have gotten us through some tough times."

In closing, she said, "I'm glad to be here to give Pop all of the recognition he deserved because he made all the right choices."

Pop's daughter, Janis Phillips, was next on the program.

"Pop would be so honored; he would be jumping around with his hat and waving it. All of his family is here. God bless all, who have come to this ceremony."

She went on to thank the Georgia DOT and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners for dedicating the road in memory of her father.

In his comments, Pop's son, "Little Roy" Lewis, said, "This is a great honor for us and for Pop. Pop loved Lincoln County. We were thrilled when the road that runs beside the homeplace was named Lewis Family Road, but this is the big one. Thank you."

After Little Roy's remarks, Jeff Easter, Sheri's husband, presented a video tribute that he had produced for Pop. It was received with much laughter and some tears.

Following the video presentation, Dr. Edward McCurry, a long-time friend of the family, said, "Today this highway is being named for a simple man - - a man, who enjoyed great success in life and was admired by countless fans all across the nation.

"Not to take anything away from all of the wonderfully talented members of the Lewis Family, let me tell you what Pop was - Pop was the star of the show. All he had to do was just walk on stage and wave his hat, and the crowd went wild. You knew at that moment you were seeing someone very special on stage."

In other remarks, Dr. McCurry mentioned some of Pop's bestknown songs such as "Never Grow Old," "Over Yonder by the Sea," and of course, his signature song, "Just One Rose Will Do."

He further enumerated some of Pop's many awards. "Pop was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor. He also received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association and the Diamond Lifetime Achievement Award from Southern Gospel News SCOOPS magazine."

In conclusion, McCurry noted that Pop is still part of the lives of those who knew him because of the influence he had on them. "Seeing the signs reading 'James Roy "Pop" Lewis Memorial Highway' will be a constant reminder of a man of character, who lived a wonderful life and should inspire us to strive to live as he did."

Next, Tony Collins, district engineer for the DOT, stepped up to the podium and said he was "thrilled and honored" to be a part of the dedication ceremony. "I didn't personally know Pop, but now I feel as though I do. He gave back to the community and the county as a whole, which is a testimony to the character of the man. On behalf of the DOT, it has been an honor for us to be a part of this."

Following Collins on the program was Senator Bill Jackson, who said, "If we are to survive, it will be because of men like Pop Lewis, who loved God and gave us tracks in the sand - - a road map as to what to do and how to do it. We can find solace in the memory of good people, who made a difference in the lives of others."

The senator went on to read the resolution passed by the General Assembly in honor of Pop, and the new highway sign was unveiled, with smaller replicas of the sign presented to members of the Lewis Family.

Little Roy then played the autoharp while those present sang "Just One Rose Will Do."

The benediction was given by Chairman Norman.