When Johnny Lewis finished playing the fiddle at a late-night music event, he signed off with the same song — Home, Sweet Home. Strains of that tune echoed in the home on December 30 when he laid down his bow for the final time.

Born in the coal mining town of Superior, West Virginia on December 2, 1923 to John Robert and Pearl Marshall Lewis, Johnny roamed the hills freely. Following a deadly accident at the tipple, his father moved the family to greener pastures. Johnny and his three sisters, Boo, Helen and Tag, found themselves on a farm in Natural Bridge, which is still the home place dear to Johnny's heart.

When he was 13, his father died after a logging accident, and Johnny became the man of the family. To support the family, he later signed on at the Newport News Shipbuilding Company, eventually becoming a master welder. He rode his motorcycle home to Natural Bridge often enough on weekends to meet the love of his life, Cora Parker, in a chance encounter at a radio-repair shop in Lexington. That same night, he awakened his mother with the news that he had met his future bride. After their marriage, Johnny was hired at James Lees and remained there until his retirement.

Johnny was well-traveled for a Plank Road boy. He visited Mexico, Canada, as well as every contiguous state in the US in an RV and spent several weeks driving on the wrong side of the road in Ireland. Music was his passion. Old time music was his true love. He learned to play the fiddle at an early age and performed at music festivals, including the big one — Old Time Fiddler's Convention in Galax. There he placed eighth one year with a tune — "The Green River March" — he learned in a North Carolina parking lot from a hippie. He was a regular at the Rockbridge Mountain Music Festival, participating in all of its annual events (over 20), either as a performer or judge. He also formed aband with friends, Linda and Bill Connelly, producing two CDs.

Johnny was a 32nd Degree Mason and belonged to lodges in both Lexington and Glasgow. He became a Mason in 1952, and at one point was a District Deputy Grand Master. He served as chaplain before his death, able to commit the prayers to memory and recite them well into his 90s. Johnny was also Worthy Patron when his wife was Worthy Matron in the local chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Johnny leaves behind Cora, his loving wife of 75 years, and his three adoring children —Bobby Lewis of Natural Bridge, Penny Showalter of Seaford, and Wanda Muñoz of Williamsburg. Also surviving him are three grandchildren, Brian Adams, Christian and Alex Muñoz, as well as seven great-grandchildren.

The family’s gratitude goes out to Hospice, and especially Mary and Paige, who cared so lovingly for him. A private burial took place at the farm.