Derinda Lewis, 57, of Ben Hill County, Georgia, died Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 10 AM, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald, Georgia, with the Rev. Dr. Brent Duncan officiating. Her sister-in-law, Teresa Reynolds, will give the eulogy. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Fitzgerald. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Tuesday evening at the funeral home in Fitzgerald.
Derinda was born August 20, 1967, in Fitzgerald, Georgia, to the late Herman Brady & Pamela Kight. She attended Fitzgerald High School and earned a business degree from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. She worked for SWS Garment Factory and for her aunt, Priscilla Nelms, at Unique Gallery. Derinda may be best known for her 24-year career at the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Chamber of Commerce. She served as the voice of the community to citizens and businesses and was instrumental in the operations of the Chamber in economic development. After retiring, she worked in payroll for Life Care Center and also worked with Pam Gay in childcare. She loved to crochet and cook and take pictures. She enjoyed spending time with her family. She had a fondness for jewelry, designer purses, iced coffee and peace signs. She was a member of Westside Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Darrell Lewis; sons: Brandon Anthony Lewis and Jesse Clayton Lewis; a grandson she adored, Jaxon Lane Lewis; brothers and a sister-in-law: Jimmy Wayne Brady, Robert Joel Sims, and Alana Sims; two beloved nieces: Gracie Sims and Emily Sims; and three aunts: Priscilla & Benny Nelms, Pat & Jakie Ethridge, and Johnnie Kay Kight. Several other extended family members on the Lewis and Kight sides survive as well. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandparents, Jesse & Gladys Kight and an uncle, W.J. “Billy” Kight.
Paulk Funeral Home, Fitzgerald, is in charge of arrangements.