Kathleen Lewis Lapeyre

Kathleen (Kay) McCowen Lewis Lapeyre died at home with her family after a courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday morning. She was 68. She was born on May 22, 1943, in Greensboro, Georgia, the daughter of Judge Edward Lloyd Lewis and Kathleen McCowen Lewis, whose letters testify to the affection the family shared. She grew up there and was an active member of First Presbyterian Church. She graduated with honors from Agnes Scott College in 1965. She met and married Paul M. Lapeyre, with whom she moved to New Orleans and had three children. For many years Kay was active at Canal Street Presbyterian Church, where she was an elder and where she taught the Bible, and at Redeemer Presbyterian Church. She was an outstanding servant, leader, teacher, and friend. Kay passed on to her three children her lifelong love of teaching and learning. She was a member of Le Petit Salon, delighted in travel, and conversed on many topics easily, wittily, and without pretense. Her reading was extensive and her insights profound, bringing clarity to many as a teacher of the Bible.

She valued her affectionate family above all. She was the loving and devoted wife for 46 years of Paul M. Lapeyre, who survives her; the mother of Mary Kathleen, James, and Christopher; and the grandmother of Wesley, Timothy, Nathanael, Rebecca, Abigail, Emma, Rachel, and Christina. Her loving son- and daughters-in-law are the Rev. Jonathan Beck, Kathleen DeLaMater Lapeyre, and Michelle Schue Lapeyre. Her brother, Dr. Edward Lloyd Lewis of Greene County, Georgia, also survives her. Words cannot capture a spirit so bright with life and so full of the spirit of love: the family puts its hope in the Resurrection, for only so can they be fully consoled.

Visitation will be at Canal Street Presbyterian Church at 4302 Canal Street on Friday, January 20 from 10:30 to noon with a celebration of her life to follow at noon. The inurnment will be in Greensboro, Georgia on Monday, January 23, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, Kay requested that donations be made to one of the churches where she worshiped and ministered throughout her life: Canal Street or Redeemer Presbyterian Churches in New Orleans, First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro Georgia, or to other community or parish outreach. McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of local arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.

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