Vernon H. “Corky” Lewis, 82, of Benton, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 14, 2019 at home, surrounded by his loving family. 

Corky retired from the United States Air Force after 23 years of service. He also served for the Polk County Sheriff’s Department. Then, he and his wife were team truck drivers for 21 years.  Corky was also a dedicated school bus driver with the Polk County Department of Education for six years. He was a graduate of Cleveland State Community College. Corky enjoyed cooking, baking and fishing. He was an avid bowler, and he loved camping.

Mr. Lewis was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil “Jack” and Reba Nell Lewis; parent-in-law, Robert and Renee Delacroix; daughters, Peggy Lewis and Patricia Walch; and his brother-in-law’s, Ogle Ingram, Gilles Delacroix, Claude Delacroix, Jean-Michel Delacroix and Clyde Wheeler.

Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Anne-Marie Lewis; beloved daughter, Stephanie Parsley; loving granddaughter, Mackenzie Parsley; siblings, Helen (Whitey) Ramsey, Ronny (Charlene) Lewis, Jackie Ingram, Larry (Lena) Lewis, Jimmy (Joann) Lewis and HR Lewis; sister-in-law’s, Rejane (Jim) Beasley, Nicole Wheeler, Marie-Francoise Delacroix, and Christiane Delacroix; brother-in-law, Laurent (Anne-Marie) Delacroix; close family friend, David Caldwell; and beloved poodle, Misha. Many nieces and nephews also survive.

A Celebration of Life service will be conducted at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17 in the chapel of Higgins Funeral Home, with Father Mike Nolan presiding. 

His family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday prior to the service at the funeral home.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at Chattanooga National Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans at www.careasy.org.

Send a message of comfort and view the Lewis family guestbook at www.HigginsFuneral.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Higgins Funeral Home of Benton.