"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." Proverbs 31:10

Godliness, dignity, elegance, courage, faith-filled, and strength are all words that describe Supervisor (Dr.) Patricia R. Lewis - a mother, wife, teacher, author, evangelist, preacher, psalmist, worshipper, and "Woman of Great Faith."

Her Birth

Patricia Y. Riley was born March 22, 1950, in the city of Memphis, Tennessee, to the late Henry Patterson and the late Evangelist Cleo O. Riley-McClenton.  As her mother's eldest child, she was blessed to be nurtured by her sainted mother's exemplary life of godliness, and she was taught what it means to live by faith.  As she learned the essence of sanctification and after maturing in her walk with Christ, it was evident that God had a calling on her life.  She received the mantle for preaching the gospel from her mother, Evangelist Cleo O. Riley who was well known in the Memphis area as an outstanding revivalist.

Her Life

Patricia Y. Riley was united in holy matrimony to Administrative Assistant, Pastor J. E. Lewis, II on July 5, 1968.  To this union, three beautiful children were born.  She discipled and disciplined her children to love and serve God.  As a wife and mother to her family, a need to work outside her home caused her to become an Executive Assistant to Fred Smith, founder of Federal Express for twenty years before retiring to devote her life to the ministry of the Lord.  To begin, she served as the First Lady by her husband's side who is Senior Pastor of Rehoboth Outreach Ministry, Inc. in Memphis, TN.  She worked diligently and faithfully as a first lady to assist wherever she was needed.  She was the essence of class, dignity, and sophistication not only in how well she dressed but also in how she lived her life.  She believed in doing all things in the spirit of excellence.  She served her family at home both naturally as well as spiritually in accordance to Proverbs 31:27, "She looked well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness." She demonstrated love for her family and friends through cooking homemade meals, often from scratch.  Thanksgiving was one of her favorite holidays to host family and friends in her home.  She relished the moments of presenting a spread of numerous dishes topped off with her famous hot buttered rolls. She was the quintessence of grace and elegance through her sacrificial life of service.

Her Ministry

Supervisor (Dr.) Patricia R. Lewis's foundational years in church and Christianity began at Pentecostal Temple Institutional COGIC under the pastorate of the late Bishop J.O. Patterson, Sr.  She accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and was filled with heaven's holy ghost in August of 1958.  Dr. Lewis was the epitome of a female gospel preacher!  She was astute, prolific, reverent, prophetic, sophisticated, but most importantly, Anointed! Her overall ministry exuded a life of caring, compassion, sacrifice, and service.  She had a special love for family and God's people.  As a National and International Evangelist, God equipped her to give scholarly exegesis of His word with fortitude and power in over 30 countries.  Her purpose in life was to spread the good news of Jesus Christ in the United States and foreign lands.

Supervisor (Dr.) Patricia R. Lewis used the pain she endured in life to further her divine purpose of ministering healing to souls at any cost.  In 1999, she became the founder and CEO of PRL Ministries, Inc., and birthed PRL (Pursuing Righteous Living) and H.U.R.T Workshops (Helping Undo Real Trauma).  Through this ministry, it was her endeavor to create a deliverance atmosphere for people of any ethnicity, culture, or creed.  Her ministry provided support to people in overcoming life challenges to achieve personal and spiritual growth.  Many lives were transformed by the power of God.

Supervisor (Dr.) Patricia R. Lewis served humbly in several capacities in the International Church of God in Christ, Inc.  She served as the Assistant Elect Lady of the International Evangelism Department, National Expeditor of the Church of God in Christ Women's Department, Supervisor of Pakistan, and Supervisor of the Brazil Jurisdiction in Brazil.

Supervisor (Dr.) Patricia R. Lewis hosted a local telecast, "Deliverance Through the Word", reaching thousands in Memphis weekly for over 20 years. She was a renowned anointed gospel recording artist.  She had a singing career that spanned from 1975 to present.  Because of her immense talent, she recorded her CD project, "Unfolding Destiny" in 2006.  She also was the featured soloist on the International Music Department COGIC "We Must Not Forget" recording, leading the song, "God is Moving by His Spirit." One of her greatest accomplishments was the release of her book "The Spirit of Expectancy" in October of 2019.  In this book, she shared many of her life experiences from early childhood days through adulthood on how the Lord honored her faith, being armed with the spirit of expectancy. Dr. Lewis's life and ministry made a significant difference in countless souls and the Kingdom of God.

Her Education

Supervisor (Dr.) Patricia R. Lewis graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1968.  After high school, she continued her studies at LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis.  As a proclaimer of the Gospel, she completed her professional training at Rockville University in Maryland, where she obtained a Doctorate of Ministry (D.Min.) in 2007.   Her dissertation focus centered on "The Effectiveness of Ministerial Work in a Transformational Society."

Her Transition

Supervisor (Dr.) Patricia R. Lewis transitioned from "Earth to Glory", Sunday, January 17, 2021.  She ran the Christian race to see her Savior's face.  She bore her cross and has gone home to exchange her cross for her crown.  This proverbial woman of God will be truly missed by many, but we find solace in knowing she's with the Lord; To be absent from this body is to be present with our Lord.

Her Legacy

Supervisor, Dr. Patricia R. Lewis' ecclesiastical legacy and life of holiness will live on through the lives of those she inspired along the way.  She leaves to cherish her memories ~ husband: J. E. Lewis, II ~ three children: Darron, Barron, and Sharonda  ~ eleven grandchildren ~ three great grandchildren  ~ eleven siblings:  Deborah, Kenneth, Andrew (Stephanie), Barbara (Curtis), Larry, Gregory, Samuel (Gina), Angela of Suwanee, GA, Lawrence of Atlanta, GA, Nathaniel, and Deborah (Tony) of Conyers, GA; (two siblings preceded her in death: Isaac and Phyllis) ~ mother-in-law: Lottie Lewis ~ numerous nieces and nephews ~ three lifetime friends/sisters: Caron Dean Watkins, Karon Jean Phillips, and Curtis Joy Covington ~ two special goddaughters: Bernadette A. Moore of Chicago, IL and Marsha Calhoun ~ a host of spiritual daughters and sons in the Gospel.

2 Timothy 4:7-8

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."