Gwen A. Lewis, 79, of De Soto died Aug. 31, 2020, at her home. Ms. Lewis dedicated her professional life to public education as a teacher, coach, principal and school board member. She was a lifelong resident of De Soto, serving as a charter board member as well as past president of the De Soto Railroad Employee’s Memorial. She was a longtime member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and was a huge contributor to and proponent of all things De Soto, the community she loved. Born March 3, 1941, in De Soto, she was the daughter of the late Dwight Taft and Ruth Maness Lewis Beatte.
She is survived by her good friend: Debbie Wilson of De Soto; three cousins: Martha Lewis (Bernard) Ketcherside of De Soto, Dick (Barb) Lewis of De Soto and Faye Lewis Pashia of Maryland Heights; a nephew: Jeffrey (Jodi Christopher) Lewis of De Soto; great-nephew: Brandon Lewis; and many beloved Taft relatives including Jeff, Justin, Kelsie and Joyce of California, JaneAnn of Kansas City and Joyce, Nick and family of New England.
She was preceded in death by her stepfather: Earl “Lank” Lewis; a stepbrother: Joseph “Cornie” (the late Blanche) Lewis; a half brother: Brian Taft; and five cousins: Lavon Lewis Tinker, Tommy Lewis, Charles “Muggs” Lewis, Gregory “Scottie” Lewis and Walter “Butch” Lewis.
Visitation is scheduled from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, at the De Soto High School Gymnasium, followed by a prayer service and eulogies by family and friends. Funeral procession will depart from the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. and funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in De Soto. Memorials may be made to the De Soto Railroad Employees Memorial. Arrangements are under the direction of Mahn Funeral Home in De Soto.