Affectionately known as "Pop" to all The Lewis Family fans.

Sheri’s grandfather, Roy “Pop” Lewis, 98, of The Lewis Family, entered into rest Tuesday, March 23, 2004, at Wills Memorial Hospital. Pop was the patriarch of the bluegrass gospel singing family, who in 2000, celebrated 50 years of music. In that same year, he was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and in 1992, the family was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, in Macon, Georgia.

Pop was loved by millions of fans who knew him through his travels of over 100,000 miles each year for 51 years. At the age of 96, he was forced to retire due to health complications. He was preceded in death by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 77 years, Pauline Holloway Lewis, his mother and father, 2 brothers and 7 sisters, son, Mosley, and granddaughter, Susan.

One of Pop’s most requested songs was
“Just One Rose Will Do”

When time shall come for my leaving, when I bid you adieu;
Don’t spend your money for flowers, just one rose will do.
Because I’m going up to a beautiful garden,
At last when my work is through.
Don’t spend your money for flowers, just one rose will do.

I’d rather have one rose, from a garden of a friend,
Than the choicest flowers when this stay on earth shall end.
I’d rather have one word in kindness said to me,
Than flattery when my heart is still and life has ceased to be.
I’d rather have a pleasant smile from a friend I know is true,
Than tears shed around my casket when I bid this world adieu.
Bring me all the flowers today, whether pink, white or red.
I’d rather have one rose now, than a truck load when I’m dead.

Original copyright, 1942, by The Hartford Music Co., In “Living Faith”, arr. Copyright, 1948, by The Hartford Music Co., in “Golden Gates”, J.A., McClung, copyright Starday Music-BMI