Dr. Lynda Lorraine Lewis

Dr. Lynda Lorraine Ravnell Lewis, the daughter of Mary Nealey Ravnell and the late Charles Wesley Murrell, was born in Miami, Florida May 6, 1953.  She attended the public schools in Jacksonville, Florida.  After high school, she matriculated to her father’s alma mater, Hampton Institute University in Hampton, Virginia, majoring in Health, Physical Education, recreation and Dance.  In 1975, by popular vote, she was elected Miss Hampton Institute Homecoming Queen and appeared in the first edition of Ebony Magazine’s Black Campus Queens.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1975 from Hampton Institute, University.  Lynda earned her Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in Administrative Policies Studies and Educational Leadership. She has taught, coached and trained students, athletes and dancers in Florida, Virginia and Pennsylvania. During her career, she won several city championships in gymnastics, swimming, and track and field. She became one of the first black judges for gymnastics in the state of Virginia.  Lynda served as Dance Department Coordinator at the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) and Coordinator of student services for Teen Mothers.  She also served in numerous leadership roles while with Pittsburgh Public Schools, such as Vice Principal and Principal.  Lynda was appointed principal at the Rogers Middle School for the Creative and Performing Arts and retired after a total of 33 years of service, dedication and love of children and families from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Newport News, Virginia and Jacksonville, Florida.  She dedicated her life to helping young people, especially young ladies in need. Lynda was a proud member of the National Council of Negro Women, National Organization of College Women, Zontal International and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. She was also a member of the African American Book Club of Florida.  Lynda served as Eucharistic Minister and Parish Council Member at Saint Benedict the Moor in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Blessed Sacrament in Clermont, Florida. She also served as Eucharistic Minister and Adult Religious Educator at St. John Paul II Catholic Church in Ponte Vedra, Florida.  Lynda mentored young women of Pittsburgh Public Schools, the Lake County public school system and students at Valley Ridge School in Nocatee, Florida. Lynda is survived by her children, Bettina Lorraine Lee and Anthony Steven Lewis; grandsons, Charles Saadiq Murrell and George Anthony Lewis; the Lewis stepchildren; her adopted children, Benson Brousard and Lisa Robinson; mother, Mary N. Ravnell; sisters, Patricia R. Smith, Spring Smith and Melody Jackson; brothers, Victor C. Ravnell and Gregory Ravnell; a host of remaining family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her father Charles Wesley Murrell; her first husband, Freddie D. Lee and second husband, Steven A. Smith. The funeral mass will be 1:00pm Saturday, March 12, 2022, at St. John Paul II Catholic Church, 127 Stone Mason Way, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32081. Viewing will be Friday, March 11, 2022 from 5:00 pm - 7:00 p.m at The Soutel Chapel. Interment in Ponte Vedra Valley Cemetery.  Because of the love of her family, arrangements entrusted to J. E. Fralin & Sons Funeral & Cremation Services, 5065 Soutel Dr. 

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