Lonnie Lewis Dowless of Bladenboro, NC went peacefully to meet his Savior and Lord on February 1, 2026 at the age of 74. He was born December 13, 1951 to the late Gurney and Edna Earl Dowless.

A man of boundless hospitality and a true friend to all, he lived by a simple creed, to honor the dignity of every person he encountered. His love for mankind was expansive and active, he didn’t just wish people well, he gave them a path forward. He was a believer in second chances, always ready to provide a job to anyone with a willingness to work.

His compassion was truly universal and knew no social boundaries. Lewis treated every individual with the same respect, whether he was welcoming a guest into his home or offering food to inmates. He was a hard worker who moved through the world with an open heart, dedicated to the belief that every soul deserved to be seen, supported, and cared for. Above all, he hoped that others would see Christ through his actions, as he daily sought to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus.

With the love of his life, Joann, by his side over their lifetime together, they built a vast depth of knowledge and applied it to the businesses they grew as a team. His work experience started at a young age in the tobacco fields of Center Road. From there he had his first experience in the food industry in the meat department of Townsend & Smith IGA. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, he partnered with his older brother, Donald, to own and operate Your Way, Inc. They were true trail-blazers in the area, introducing southeastern North Carolina to three convenience stores with self-service gas. Known for his leadership both in and out of uniform, he served as a Sergeant First Class in the North Carolina National Guard for seven years. As their Mess Sergeant he applied the same discipline and care to his unit that he did to every aspect of life. While in the National Guard he managed Elizabethtown Cold Storage and took some time to hone a trade in blueprints and pipefitting at Pfizer Construction and then at Rohm and Haas in Cumberland County.

He felt he was best at serving others as he did in the National Guard so he focused on building his skills in managing and owning restaurants. Lewis had more wisdom about people and the restaurant/catering business than anyone could hope to learn at a university. He earned a PhD from the kitchen and dining room of hard knocks. He started working at Willes’s Seafood I at the White Lake followed by Willie’s Seafood II before moving on to operate the Tory Inn Seafood in Elizabethtown. He then opened his own restaurant, Dowless’ Family Restaurant in Clarkton. This led to him owning and operating the Burger Shack in Clarkton, the Chow Line in Elizabethtown, Dowless’ of Dublin, Village Grill at White Lake, Dowless’ Express in Clarkton and Tabor City, S & J Grill in Dublin, Goldston’s Restaurant at White Lake and Dowless & Company in Dublin. He enjoyed starting up restaurants and he loved his catering business that started in 1982 and is presently still in operation. He also took pride in the dinners he catered at Lu Mil Lights owned by Ron Taylor. Lewis was present most every night to include the last night this past year on December 23rd.

Lewis loved to laugh and smile and see others around him do the same. For a time of reflection you could often find him mowing grass, and his favorite place to visit was the North Carolina mountains where he spent time with family, Helen and Donald Revis. He also loved the pets he and Joann had together. His chihuahua, Maggie, already misses him coming home to her every evening.

He was a lifelong member of the church he loved so much, Center Road Baptist Church. He enjoyed serving his church family and over the years he did so in many capacities. He served as Chairman of the Deacons, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Director, RA Leader, Senior Member Coordinator and served on other various committees like the finance committee and pastor search committee. Lewis has also served Bladen County as a member of the hospital board, and he served on the Southeastern Economic Development Committee.

Lewis loved his family and gave them everything they could ever need. Sacrificing for himself to make sure his family was taken care of. There now exists a tremendous void in the lives of those who loved and knew him, but his positive impact on this world through his obedience to the Lord and the knowledge that he has been taken to his promised reward in heaven is now rejoiced.

Lewis is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joann Britt Dowless. Through the years their love and faithfulness conquered many battles with amazing courage and resilience. Lewis’s legacy lives on through his children: Gregory Lewis Dowless (Christy), Tracy Gordon Dowless (Michelle), and Amy Dowless Britt (Jay). He took great pride in teaching them the value of hard work as they grew up working in his restaurant and catering business by his side. Also left to carry on his legacy are his grandchildren: Zachary Lewis Dowless (Lindsay), Caleb Dowless (Olivia), Aaron Dowless, Lora Dowless, Connor Nance, Luke Dowless, Jacob Britt (August) and Abby Britt. He was recently given his first great-grandchild Theodore Lewis Dowless “Teddy”. He was so proud of his grandchildren and the lives they live for our Lord and Savior.

Lewis loved having family close by and didn’t miss a chance to attend a reunion or get together. He had a close bond with his two brothers that he left behind, older brother Donald Dowless (Janet) and younger brother Terry Dowless (Bunnie). He had a close relationship with his in-laws Brenda Butler (Lee). He leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews that he loved so much.

The family will receive friends on Friday, February 6, 2026 from 2:00PM until 3:30PM at Center Road Baptist Church. A funeral service will be conducted at 3:30PM by Rev. Leroy Burke and Rev. Aaron Leonard. Serving as pall bearers are : Anthony Butler, Cameron Dowless, Clayton Dowless, Ken Guyton, Kevin Pait, Nathan Pait (absentia), Nolan Pait, Cory Russ and Curtis Starling. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Center Road Baptist Church Building Fund.

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Bladenboro Funeral & Cremation Service: 400 S. Main Street, Bladenboro NC, 28320. 910.809.0130