On Monday, December 13, 2021, Sister Jo-Ann Lewis Frazier passed from earth in heaven's reward. There will be no more sorrow, pain or suffering. It was God's will that the transition from labor to reward. Sister Jo-Ann was the oldest of seven sisters and seven brother born on October 9, 1949 in Independence, Louisiana to the late Ernest Lewis, Sr. and the late Catherine Audrey Harrell Lewis.
Her education began to the West Side school to Tangipahoa Parish. Having been determined she was very gifted, she was advanced from the 3rd to the 5th grade. She attended Joseph S. Clark High School in the New Orleans where the graduated as class valedictorian.
She then furthered her post secondary education as a graduate from Hammond Vocational Trade School with a degree in Business Administration. She was united in holy matrimony to Earnest Frazier, Sr. on May 14, 1967 and to that union two sons were born. Earnest, Jr., and Brian.
The seventies was a tumultuous time for people of color across the county, and Tangipahoa Parish was no exception. People of color were excluded from frontline position at various stores within the community. Experiencing some of these inequalities first hand, she participated in the first active boycotts of major business in Amite, thus resulting in her being hired as the first black cashier at one of them.
She was brought in a Christian home and devoted her life to God under the leadership of the late Dr. Samuel Richardson. Her God-given gifts, and talents afford her the opportunities to serve God's people on various levels. On the local level, she served as the church and Women's Department secretary, and the leader of the Hospitality Ministry. On the district level, she served as Event Coordinator Finance Committee member, and Program Designer. On the jurisdictional level, she was member of the Supervisor Special Care Committee. She had a special place in her heart for the elder and seasons women. She and other ladies in the church would often provide gifts of love by preparing meals, gifts and fruit baskets, and etc. She didn't limit her gifts, bud did as Ecclesiastes 9:10 states " Whatever they can finders to do, do it with thy might.." And this was indeed being a Servant to the Lord.
She went on to have an illustrious career with the Tangipahoa Parish School Board where she worked for thirty-three years. She played and active role for many individuals mum starting their careers across the parish. She was employed in various capacities, working her way up from Secretary to Office Manager, she was the first black person employed in that position until she retired in 2006.
After retirement she, continued to stay busy. She became more active in local politics. She spent time volunteering for local campaigns and working the individual elections. She became gainfully employed with Genesis Mental Health Clinic and later, Richardson Funeral Home. She was the heart and soul of these organizations.
She loved to cook, read, travel and spending time with her grandchildren and family, shopping, she loved to listen to Gospel music on Pandora and read her bible. My mother didn't know the definition of the word "no". She did not know how to spell it. She did not know how to use it. I would go so far as to ask her to rehearse the work with me and she would tell me NO! Her hearts was so big that she would put other needs of other before her own.
To carry on her legacy, she leaves a husband of fifty-four years, Earnest Frazier, Sr., two sons: Earnest, Jr, (Sherry) and Brian; five grandchildren: Tyreek, Keanu, Preston, Brandon, and Keshon. She all leaves four sister: Missionary Cheryl St. Amant, Elaine Daniels (Bishop Charles) tomekia Bergeron, and Karen Sayles; seven brothers: Ernest Lewis, II, James Lewis, Alvin Lewis (Denise); Dwayne (Dyonne). Daren Lewis (Damaris) Kenneth Bergeron (Alice) and Chris Person; one God-Sister, Renee G. Taylor; three God Children: Michelle Foster, Michael Cook, Kiley Mearidy; two uncles: Elder Henry Harrell and Oliver Jackson, Jr (Patricia): one uncle-in-law, Wade Wilson (Willie Mae); sister Aunts: Evangelist Delores Washington (Henry), Missionary Cherry Harrell, Sadie, Harrell, Jerry Dean Johnson, Ruth Jackson, and Missionary Mildren Harrell; one aunt-in-law, Bertha Coleman,; three brothers-in-law" Emmitt (Elaine), John, Roger (Renee): five sisters-in-law: Lillie Mae, Katherine (Carl, Sr.,) Delores, Josie Dale; Joann "Tiny" (Calvin), and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Proceeding her death were her parents, Catherine and Ernest Lewis, Sr.; maternal grandparents, Jasper and Josephine R. Harrell; paternal grandparents. Willie and Amanda Lewis, mother and father-in-law, Lizzie and Willie Frazier; three sister, Dianne Wilson, Demetric" Dinky" Lewis, and Winifred Sandifer
Source: The Funeral Program for Jo-Ann Lewis Frazier
