Ovenshire, Lewis
6/9/1977
November 13, 1915 - June 19, 1977 |
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| Lewis Ovenshire was born Nov. 13, 1915, in Howard, New York. He died June 19, 1977, in Lakeland, Florida. In those more than three score years, his dedication to Christ as Lord expressed itself in varied ministries in different places. He is survived by four children: Mrs. D. C. Landrum (Rebecca), David L. Ovenshire, Mrs. Dwight Jennings (Carol) and Mrs. W. F. Lester (Mary Ann). He was a graduate of Alfred University, Alfred, New York, studied at the Boston University School of Theology and graduated from Colgate-Rochester Divinity School. On June 25, 1938 he married Ruth Webster Smith in Buffalo, New York. He served churches in the Genesee Conference, now called Western New York Conference: Alabama-Bason Charge, New York, Bristol Center, New York, Waterport-Kuckville-Kenyonville, and Arcade, New York. From 1933-1970 his ministry was expressed through the Goodwill Industries, training in Buffalo, New York, and serving as Executive Director in Roanoke, Va. And New Orleans, La. While with Goodwill Industries he served as supply pastor wherever and whenever needed. In 1970 he resigned from Goodwill Industries and accepted full time appointment in the Louisiana Conference. He served the Haughton-Love Chapel Charge in the Shreveport District, Pearl River-Lacombe Charge in the Hammond District, and Ebenezer-Wesley Charge in the Lafayette District. November 1, 1976, he retired on disability. He died on Father’s Day, June 19, 1977. “Brother Lewis” had many interests and varied talents which were well used in his diverse ministry. His compassion for persons led him to Goodwill Industries; his administrative ability made him an effective manager, turning losing companies into financially sound operations. He was not only a lifelong student of the Bible and able interpreter, but he recognized the value of persons reading the Bible for themselves. In recent pastorates, in cooperation with the American Bible Society, he was able to place literally hundreds of Bibles in the homes of the communities where he served. Always spiritually sensitive, he was conscious of the Holy Spirit working in and through his life. All through his ministry, but especially in the months of his last illness he trusted and lived by the words of Paul: “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him who are called according to his purpose.” (“Romans 8:28) |
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| Source: Journal of the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, 1978; p. 173 By J. P. Woodland | |
