A celebration of life for Marilynn Shalane Lewis will be held at 11:00 AM, on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Temple Baptist Church Chapel under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. Officiating the service will be Dr. Reggie Bridges. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00 AM till service time at 11:00 AM
Marilynn was born in Monroe, LA on October 25, 1938, and was the only child of Edwin and Ruby Crowley.
Marilynn was raised in the church where her parents were charter members of Parkview Baptist Church. She sang in the choir, and met the love of her life, Jim Lewis. They were high school sweethearts and dated through their years at Neville High School.
After marriage, the couple moved to 29 Palms California where Jim served as a J.A.G. officer in the United States Marine Corps. It was during that time Marilynn gave birth to her only child, James Beauregard “Beau” Lewis. Upon Beau’s arrival, Jim left the Marine Corps, and the couple returned to Monroe, LA. Marilynn used her gift of singing in productions at the Strauss Little Theatre with leading rolls in “Hello Dolly”, “South Pacific”, and “Guys and Dolls”. Marilynn was also very active in the Monroe Junior League.
Wherever she lived, Marilynn always loved tending to her home and yard. While living in Ruston, she cared for Jim during his battle with cancer until his passing in 2012. Upon Jims death, she moved back to Monroe briefly, but returned to Ruston to live with her son, where she faithfully attended Temple Baptist Church, was president of Littera Club, and a member of the Ruston Republican Women’s Club.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Edwin William Crowley and Ruby Key Crowley; and her husband James Edwin Lewis.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, or Life Choices of North Central Louisiana.
