Elizabeth Jo (Johnston) Lewis

Elizabeth Jo (Johnston) Lewis was born July 7, 1928 in Ashdown, Arkansas to John and Christina Johnston and entered eternal life on January 29, 2026. In 1936, Libby, as she was affectionately referred to by friends and family, moved to California with her parents, her sister Jessie Ann, and her uncle James, temporarily moving in with her father's sister prior to the birth of her brother John Dale. Five years later the family welcomed her baby sister, Carolyn Sue and relocated to Banning from Montebello. Libby graduated from Banning High School in 1946, but not before meeting the love of her life, Stanley Dean Lewis, who attended the rival high school in Beaumont. After graduation she worked at the Banning Laundry, McCulloh's Photography Studio, and continued to build her relationship with Stanley while he completed his education at the California College of Mortuary Science in Los Angeles. Stan and Libby were married in December 1948 and recently celebrated their 77th anniversary. Libby was an amazing support to Stan during his entire 45-year career at Wiefels & Son Mortuary in both the Palm Springs and Banning locations. Her role at the mortuary grew from phone and door assistance in Palm Springs, to full office secretary and funeral attendant in Banning. Libby's greatest accomplishment was her loving devotion to her family. She loved them all fiercely and extended that love to include her nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Her legacy is one of selfless love, devotion to family and an endless love and appreciation for her Stanley. Libby is survived by her loving husband, her four children & their spouses, fourteen grandchildren & their spouses, twenty-two great-grandchildren, her sister in law, nieces, nephews, and countless friends. She was deeply loved and shared a final farewell in her home, surrounded by family, with a beautiful Irish poem.

A Celebration of Libby's Life will take place at the Banning United Methodist Church, 235 N. 2nd St, Banning, California on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 11:00am.

Cremation will be handled by Wiefels and Son Banning Mortuary with her final resting place at San Gorgonio Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, a gift may be made in memory of Elizabeth Jo Lewis to the Banning United Methodist Church, PO Box 876, Banning, Ca 92220. 

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