Southern gospel founder of the Lewis Family dies 23rd March.

COUNTRY GOSPEL veteran Roy 'Pop' Lewis of the Lewis Family died on 23rd March aged 98. Lewis was born on 22nd September, 1905. At 20, he married Pauline Holloway and began one of the gospel community's most successful performing families. They were married 77 years when 'Mom' Lewis passed away last year. A member of the Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame, Lewis performed with the family group well into his 90s. In recent years poor health kept him off the road, but he performed last May at the annual Lewis Family Homecoming & Bluegrass Festival in Lincolnton, Georgia. "Pop Lewis was one of the true gentlemen in our industry," said Daywind Music Group VP Norman Holland. "The love and respect his family, friends and peers have for him is a tribute and testimony to him. I was honoured to work with him and his family." The Lewis Family continues to record for Thoroughbred Records, a division of Daywind. CR

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