Graveside services for Eric Dwain Lewis, 79, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 23, 2023, at State Line Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Lewis passed away at 6:58 a.m., Thursday, June 15, 2023, at Ozarks Medical Center.

He was born September 12, 1943, to Donald Lewis and Lois Tyree Lewis.  On July 24, 1962, he was married at Moko, Arkansas, to Opal Earlene Holloway.  Mr. Lewis was a member of the Church of Christ and had been a Preacher for over 50 years.  He loved to play bluegrass music on his guitar and was involved in several bluegrass bands.  Eric was the founder of the George D. Hay Society; he formed it to preserve the history and the love of bluegrass music.

He is survived by his wife, Opal Earlene Lewis, of the family home; three daughters, Jeannie Lewis, West Plains, Evette Prill, Pomona, Missouri and Erica McMillian and husband, Tatum, West Plains; four grandchildren, Ashley Painter and husband, Jared, Nicole Bennett, Megan Cale and Logan McMillian, all of West Plains; eight great-grandchildren and one on the way; two brothers, Danny Lewis and wife, Linda, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Lanny Lewis and wife, Dee, West Plains; one sister, Sherry Martin and husband, Bill, Mountain View, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, one sister, Beverly Noble and one brother, Ken Lewis, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to Paragould Children's Home and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.