Lewis, Gloria Jean's Obituary
Gloria Jean (Key) Lewis was born on September 23, 1931 in Mansfield, Louisiana to William Jack Key and Nettie (Maddox) Key. She went to be with the Lord on March 18, 2025.
She grew up during the Great Depression in Shreveport, Louisiana. She was the youngest of five children, with four older brothers. She lost her father at the age of 3, leaving her mother to raise the kids and provide for the family. She said they didn’t have much growing up but that she never went hungry, as her mother always provided for her and her brothers.
While attending high school, she met James Douglas Lewis. They had their first date on the night after she was crowned 4-H Club Queen. She was immediately smitten and they were married five months later.
Jean and Doug welcomed their daughter Marilyn Kay in 1952 and then James Douglas Jr. in 1958. Throughout their 73 years of marriage, they remained each other’s best friends enjoying many activities together including singing in the church choir, square dancing, and playing board games with friends and family. Jean and Doug depended on their faith and belief in Jesus Christ to guide them through life.
Jean dedicated herself to being a mother and homemaker. As her children grew up, she started working in the Customer Service Department at the Sears store in Town East Mall and retired after over 20 years. She was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Garland, Texas. Family was very important to Jean and she treasured the time spent with her family.
Jean is survived by daughter Marilyn Kay Smith, son James Douglas Lewis Jr; grandchildren Brandon Smith and his wife Gari-Anne, Brent Smith and his wife Carina, Cherie Booth and her husband Charles, Paige O’Neil and her husband Brad, and Austin Lewis; great-grandchildren Camille Smith, Kyleigh Booth, Caden Booth, Aria Smith, Westyn Smith, Aubrey Smith, and Vivian O’Neal.
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