Hughie Jerome McLewis

A beloved father, husband, and uncle to some by blood and many by heart, Hughie Jerome McLewis was born in Dallas, Texas, on September 30, 1964, to the late Hughe John McLewis and Viola Lucille McLewis. Hughie was the first Black baby birthed at Baylor Hospital.

Hughie grew up in Compton, California, where he attended local schools and graduated from Downey High School. He soon after relocated to Bakersfield, where he briefly worked in the agricultural fields. Hughie worked at R.L. Morton Construction as a crane operator and crew leader for 15 years before devoting the remainder of his life to care for his family.

In 1988, he met Vera Chinn and in 2007 they joined in marriage. From that union, they had four amazing and beautiful children: Channel, Camille, Chelsea, and Chase. They were truly the loves of Hughie's life. He was a proud father and considered his children to be his pride and joy. He lived his life putting family over and before everything.

Hughie loved catfish dinners, court shows, old cars, and motorcycles. However, what he truly enjoyed was helping others any way he could. From his infamous barbeque, chicken and dumplings, and rolled tacos that he shared with others, to his voluntary service as the community mechanic, and his affectionate laugh that lit up every room, Hughie's compassion for those he encountered has left a lasting mark on those he shared life with.

Instilled by his mother was the importance of having a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Hughie accepted the Lord in 1979, at New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church under the late Reverend Robert Huggins. God called Hughie Jerome McLewis home on Thursday, January 28, 2021. Preceding his death are his grandparents: Joseph and Winnie McLewis, and Cornelius and Symantha Kiles; parents: Hughe John and Viola McLewis; aunts: Velma Kiles, Essie Mae Kiles, Lorraine Herece Kiles-Green, Frances I. Braswell; uncles: Willard McLewis and Felton Kiles, Sr.; and brother: Henry Gentry, III.

Hughie leaves the following family members to cherish his memories of love, his wife: Vera Chinn-McLewis of Bakersfield, California; three daughters: Dr. Channel McLewis, Camille McLewis, and Chelsea McLewis; one son: Chase McLewis, all of Bakersfield, California; sisters: Frances McLewis of Dallas, Texas, LaShawn Trent of Killen, Texas, Kathryn McLewis of Dallas, Texas; aunt: Valerie Kiles of El Centro, California, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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