Hayes Lewis,Sr., 92, passed away Sun morning, June 3, 2007, at Mary Breckinridge Hospital in Hyden, KY. Mr. Lewis was a lifelong educator in the Leslie County School System, with his career culminating in his becoming Superintendent of Leslie County Schools in 1960. He was a member of the Central Presbyterian Church at Hyden, KY, Leslie County. Mr. Lewis was born at Yeaddiss, KY on July 12, 1914. He graduated from the Witherspoon College High School in Buckhorn, KY. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree, his Masters Degree, and his rank one from Eastern Kentucky University. Mr. Lewis was also a 32nd degree Mason and belonged to the York Rite Shrine and Scottish Rite Shrine. Mr. Lewis began his teaching career in a one-room school in Leslie County with 55 pupils enrolled in grades one through eight. In his school room, he had one black board, two erasers and one box of chalk, one coal bucket and shovel, one water bucket and a dipper, along with forty desks of varying sizes. This experience left an impression on Mr. Lewis and motivated within him a desire to improve the educational opportunities for all Leslie County youth. After three years of teaching, Mr. Lewis was transferred to the Central Office. After working in the defense industry for a number of years, Hayes returned to the Central Office in 1949 and remained there until he retired in 1975. He served as Superintendent of Schools for twelve years, including from 1960-1972. When Mr. Lewis began his tenure as Superintendent, there were seventy-two schools in Leslie County. Fifty of these schools were one room schools, housing grades one through eight. By the conclusion of his years as Superintendent, he had consolidated these schools into six elementary schools; five of which have remained open through this school year. Mr. Lewis also was associated with a variety of businesses beginning in 1938, including general merchandising, co-owner of franchise dealerships for Chevrolet, International and Subaru, and coal, oil and gas properties. Hayes traveled many places and met many people, but he was always most comfortable at home in Hyden, Kentucky with his native Leslie Countians. He received many awards, but one of the awards he cherished the most was his recognition in 2005 at the Leslie County High School graduation ceremony for his dedication to the young people in the county. Mr. Lewis leaves surviving on son, Hayes Frederick Lewis and wife Ulene; two granddaughters, Cheryl Lewis, and Melissa Lewis. He leaves surviving six grandchildren. He also leaves surviving one brother, Odell Lewis and wife Alma. Mr. Lewis leaves surviving a host of nieces and nephews and other close friends and relatives. Hayes was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Elva; his daughter Janeth; and his parents, Sam and Malinda Kilburn Lewis. He was also preceded in death by six brothers, Willard, Dewey, Zora, Oakley, Dan and Opal Lewis; and three sisters, Orgie Hendrix, Nannie, Blair and Bonnie Hilton. Services for Hayes Lewis were conducted on Wed, June 6, 2007 at 10am at the Walker Funeral Home Chapel in Hyden, KY with Reverend Billy Joe Lewis, Mike Stanley and John Newell officiating. Mr. Lewis was laid to rest on Wed, June 6, 2007 at the Lewis Family Cemetery at Trace Fork, Yearddiss, KY with full Masonic rites. Walker Funeral Home of Hyden, KY was in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Central Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 880, Hyden, KY 41749 or to the Presbyterian Child Welfare Agency, 116 Buckhorn Lane, Buckhorn, KY 41721. This AUTHOR and PRODUCER of LEWIS family genealogy books is missed by all who were privileged to know and work with him. Descent of LEWIS Proginator JAMES T. LEWIS born Wales- deceased Kentucky in North America. **************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007)