The Honorable Attorney Roy C. "Bill" Lewellen

“Thou my everlasting Portion, more than friend or life to me, all along my pilgrim journey, Savior, let me walk with Thee.” Roy Cornelius “Bill” Lewellen, Jr., sometimes known as “Bill Bo,” was born on November 18, 1951 to the union of Roy Cornelius Lewellen, Sr. and Minnie Ethel Brewer Lewellen. As a precocious child, his fondness memories were of his first teacher Mrs. Beluah O’Neal Matthews who carried him at the age of four to the historic C. B. Dansby School, an infamous Texas school know for educating African-American students during segregation years. At a young age, Bill Bo accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and joined the Paradise Missionary Baptist Church in Marianna, AR. In later years, he would unite with the Mount Calvary M.B. Church under the leadership of Pastor Robert Ousley, where he faithfully continued to serve as Trustee under the present pastoral leadership of Dr. Ronald Broussard, Sr. Roy C. Lewellen graduated in May 1968 from Anna Strong High School in Marianna, and in September 1968, Lewellen enrolled at AM&N College, now known as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB). While attending UAPB, he determinedly met his wife Doris Ann Bradley Lewellen when he intentionally sat in her seat in English 101 and repeatedly tried to take her pencil as playfully ways to gain Doris’ attention. This collegial encounter began a 48-year romance. This fun-loving romance led to their marriage on April 12, 1973, and they remained united as one until Doris departed this life in September 2016. “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalm 1:3 Roy Lewellen received his Bachelor’s from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Following graduation, he was employed by the Department of Human Services in Marianna, AR., where his purpose-driven mission in life for the concern of people in Arkansas and in surrounding communities were planted and nurtured. His amicable character traits of humility, courage, advocacy, and service would lead him to enter into the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law where he received his Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree (J.D.). As one of two Black lawyers in Lee County, Bill was a strong advocate and attorney for equal representation and treatment in his community, served as a Marianna City Councilman before his election to the Arkansas Senate in 1990, and later served until his transition as the attorney for the Marianna City Council. He served for ten years in the Senate and was the second Black person to serve in the Arkansas Senate in the twentieth century. Senator Bill Lewellen was the sponsor of Act 912 of 1991 that created the Arkansas Minority Health Commission. After his first session in the Senate in 1992, Lewellen served as an attorney for the Lake View School District in their historic fight for an equitable and efficient public school system where school funding systems were constitutional. Bill also served on the Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee, was Senate Co-chair of the Joint Legislative Facilities Committee, Vice Chair of the Senate Rules Committee and a member of the Joint Budget Committee and the Joint Performance Review Committee. After serving ten years in the Arkansas Senate, Bill continued to advocate for small rural school districts facing consolidation and inequitable treatment. He fought to represent his clients and to remedy injustice whenever he could. His support of dignity for all people led him to receive numerous local, state and national recognitions throughout his life. “Not for ease or worldly pleasures, nor for fame my prayers shall be; gladly will I toil and suffer, only let me walk with Thee.” Bill loved to cook and readily prepared various cuisines. His greatest joy was to have family and friends over to partake of his creative cuisines prepared just for them from Chef Bill. He was a member of the Viking Bi Fidelity Society, Incorporated and the Theta Tau Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He was inducted in the UAPB Alumni Hall of Fame in 2016 and Moton Strong Lee Hall of Fame Marianna, AR in 2017. “Lead me through the vale of shadows, bear me o’er life’s fitful sea; then the gate of life eternal may I enter, Lord, with Thee.” On Tuesday morning, March 21, 2023, Bill transitioned from this life at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, TN. He was preceded in death by his wife Doris Lewellen, his parents and sister Marvie Kay Lewellen and brother-in-law Johnny Qualls. To continue his legacy Roy C. “Bill” Lewellen leaves to cherish his life his devoted daughters Adrienne and Chastity Lewellen, his sons Roy III, Michael, Marcus, Marco, and Marshall Lewellen, his grandchildren Morgan, Madison and Calvin Walton, Jr, Aniya Holmes, Kennedi and Zaniya Lewellen, his sisters, Annette (Joseph) Pace and Earnestine Qualls and his brother Anthony (Shelia) Lewellen. He will also be remembered by his uncle, JB (Ophelia) Brewer, his aunts Mrs. Velma Brewer, Mrs. Ella Brewer of Marianna, AR, Mrs. Wilhelmina Epps- Lewellen of Little Rock, AR, and Mrs. Ann Lewellen Lewis of Georgia, god children Kristian Fayeth “Gert” and Kyuntae “Keizer” Sanders and his bonus daughters Sonya Savage and Evonda Williams. His nieces, nephews, cousins and friends will always recall the life and legacy of Bill Lewellen. FOOTPRINTS ON THE SANDS OF TIME

The Honorable Attorney Roy C. "Bill" Lewellen

November 18, 1951 - March 21, 2023