Obituary for Deloris B. Lewis

BUNKIE, LA – A funeral service to honor the life of Deloris Burks Lewis was held on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 11:00 A.M., at Salem Baptist Church in Bunkie, LA., with Pastor Greg Jackson officiating. Interment followed in church cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Progressive Funeral Home.

Deloris Lewis, 76, of Baton Rouge, LA, departed this life on October 5, 2025.

Born to the late Wilbert Burks, Sr., and Maple Sutton Burks on August 29, 1949, in Pineville, LA, Deloris Jean was the youngest of four children. At an early age, Deloris was baptized under the pastorate of the late Rev. J.J. Spane at Salem Baptist Church. A 1967 graduate of Carver High School, she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in speech and English in 1971 at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. She continued her education by earning her Master of Education and plus thirty graduate hours (1981 and 1987). Additional coursework was completed at Northwestern State University.

Her teaching career began in 1971 with the Department of the Air Force in San Francisco, CA. With the school district, she taught English as a Second Language. In 1975, she joined the English faculty of Marksville High School. Later, Mrs. Lewis transferred to Bunkie High School, where she taught English and speech. In addition to her teaching career, Mrs. Lewis had the distinct opportunity to direct and tour with the community musical production of “Northup” written by Dr. Sue Eakins of LSUA. At the time of her departure, Mrs. Lewis was a retired teacher of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.

She was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Donald R. Lewis, and to this union four children were born. One son, SSG Bryan Anthony Lewis, preceded her in death. In addition, she was preceded in death by her brother, Wilbert Burks, Jr.

She is survived by three daughters, Shellie Brown and Shalyn Lewis of Baton Rouge, LA, and Shawn Lewis of Tyler, TX; two sisters, Thelma Hayes of Carson, CA and Priscilla Burks of Baton Rouge, LA; eight grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and a community that she loved.