Paulette Lewis

Paulette “Polly” Perkins Lewis was a bright light to all who knew her, from the day she was born on November 6, 1947, in Hillsboro, AL, until her death on February 28, 2026. She was the second born of seven children and the daughter of Kathylean Cowley Perkins (later McDonald) and Raymond Perkins.

Shortly after her birth, at 6 weeks old, Paulette relocated to Spring City, TN, with her parents. From there, Paulette attended Spring City Clairborne Calloway Colored Elementary School and Carver High School in Dayton, TN. She continued her higher education at McKenzie College in Chattanooga, TN, where she was a cheerleader and earned her Associate Degree in Business Administration.

After graduating from college, Paulette was an Insurance Claim Processor for John Hancock before establishing her own accounting and tax firm, MaxxTax Services, which she operated until her death. Paulette never met a stranger, so tax preparation was not just her profession but a service and a ministry. She was family to many who relied on her services, some for more than thirty years.

In 1967, Paulette was hired by Marion Lewis, the manager of her neighborhood Burger Chef in Chattanooga. They later were married and became parents to four children: Cheryl Arnele, Christopher André, DeAnna Marie, and Aaron Jamahl.

Paulette was affectionately known as “Vovo” to her beloved grandchildren, great-grandson, and many surrogate grandchildren. It was her joy to be with them and to see them grow in grace and stature. Paulette was an adventure-seeker who loved to experience the fullness of life. She enjoyed gardening, singing, and dancing, and it made her heart happy to travel with her family and her sister-friend, Nitza Velasco, to different cities and countries. She never missed an opportunity to express her love to anyone who shared her life. Polly found ways to extend her love and service: whether as an Orchard Knob Baptist Church member serving on their family care group, as a volunteer assisting with voter registration, or as an activist protesting on her own front yard.

Paulette is preceded in death by her mother Kathylean, father Raymond, and beloved oldest son Christopher, all of whom welcome her into the heavenly host of the faithful.

She leaves behind a whole community of family and friends to mourn her loss, including three loving children: Cheryl (Anthony) Mines, DeAnna Lewis, and Aaron Lewis; ten grandchildren: Adrianna (Kadeem) Harris, Anthony “TJ” Mines, Andrea Mines, Anise Mines, N’Kai Lewis, Jordyn Lewis, Nina Lange, Donald Lewis, Khristopher Lewis, and Adrian “AJ” Lewis; one great-grandson: Shaiyah Harris; and six siblings: Noralean Cowley Huddleston of Spring City, TN, Joyce Ann “Poochie” (Charles Wesley) Jackson of Chattanooga, TN, Gwendolyn Teresa (Kenneth) Banks of Knoxville, TN, Tina Marie Perkins of Knoxville, TN, Lena Gaye McDonald-Rymer of Dayton, TN, and Ben Thomas McDonald, Jr. of Spring City, TN; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and sisters and brothers-in-law.

Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church 1734 East Third Street Chattanooga, TN at 11:00 a.m. with pastor Rev. Rodney Morton officiating and delivering the eulogy. The family will receive visitors one hour before the service at the church from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.. Burial will take place Sunday morning at 12:00 noon at Petersburg Cemetery 630 Vanns Creek Rd Spring City, TN.,37381.

Services of loving memory entrusted to M.D. Dotson and Sons Funeral Home – Cleveland, Tennessee.