From the moment T. W. Lewis arrived on the Millsaps College campus in the fall of 1949, his life became inseparably woven into the life of the school. Student leader, scholar, teacher, mentor, minister, alumnus and friend—his relationship with Millsaps spanned more than seven decades and touched generations of students, colleagues and alumni. At the center of that life of service stood his wife and partner, Julia Aust Lewis, whose own devotion to Millsaps and to education matched his in both spirit and substance.
A native of Columbus, Mississippi, T. W. embraced the full experience of college life. He lettered in football for four years, was elected student body president his senior year and laid the foundation for a life defined by leadership grounded in humility. It was also at Millsaps that he met Julia Aust of Clarksdale, Mississippi—a fellow student whose warmth, intellect and commitment to service would shape not only his life, but the broader Millsaps community for decades to come. Julia was deeply engaged on campus as a Chi Omega, chair of the Women’s Council and 1952 Homecoming Queen. Their shared love for Millsaps began early and endured always.
After graduating in 1953 with a B.A. in sociology, T. W. prepared for the ministry at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, while Julia taught in public schools in Dallas. Together, they served Methodist churches in Macon, Mississippi, living out a shared calling rooted in faith, compassion and community. That sense of vocation eventually led T. W. back to Millsaps in 1959 for what was intended to be a temporary faculty appointment. Instead, he discovered his true calling as a teacher. He earned his doctorate in New Testament Studies from Drew University in 1964 and returned to Millsaps, where he would teach until his retirement in 1996.
As a professor of Religious Studies, T. W. was beloved for his ability to connect deeply with students, with texts and with the larger questions of meaning and purpose. He helped students see the relevance of scripture and literature in their own lives, combining intellectual rigor with personal engagement. His influence extended well beyond the classroom. He played a pivotal role in shaping the Millsaps curriculum, including helping to design the Heritage Program, a defining element of a Millsaps education. He championed interdisciplinary learning, writing across the curriculum and the preservation of classical studies. He also served as chair of the Humanities division, chair of the Religious Studies department and president of the Faculty Council. In recognition of his extraordinary teaching and scholarship, he was named Distinguished Professor in 1979.
Equally significant was T. W.’s moral and spiritual leadership. He marched alongside students for civil rights, offered steady counsel during times of loss or institutional challenge and consistently stood for integrity, justice and compassion. His influence was quiet but profound, shaped not by a desire for recognition, but by a genuine commitment to people.
Julia’s contributions to Millsaps were no less meaningful. After earning her master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Mississippi, she served as a Special Services Librarian at Millsaps from 1984 until her retirement in 1995. Her work reflected the same care and dedication that defined every aspect of her life—as an educator, librarian, wife, mother and friend. Together, T. W. and Julia embodied the very best of the Millsaps spirit: engaged, generous and deeply invested in the lives of others.
Retirement, for T. W., was largely a matter of title. He remained a constant presence on campus, serving on councils and boards, supporting students and faculty, and continuing to give generously of his time and wisdom. His service was recognized with numerous honors, including the Livesay Service Award, induction into the Millsaps Sports Hall of Fame and being named Alumnus of the Year in 2007. Yet he consistently deflected praise, focusing instead on relationships and the work still to be done.
Perhaps the most enduring expression of the Lewises’ legacy is the impact they had on people. Former students speak of mentorship that shaped their lives, of moral leadership that set a lasting example and of a couple whose Christian witness of humility and service left an indelible mark. In their honor, Bob (74) and Dana (81) Lyle established the Dr. T. W. & Julia Lewis Scholarship Fund. This endowed scholarship was created to support students with financial need, ensuring that future generations could experience the kind of education and community to which T. W. and Julia devoted so much of their lives.
Married for more than six decades, T. W. and Julia shared a life rich in purpose and love. They raised two children, both Millsaps graduates, and delighted in their grandchildren, even as they continued to give generously to the college and the wider Mississippi community. Julia’s death in 2015 marked a profound loss, but her presence—and their shared legacy—remains deeply felt.
The story of T. W. Lewis cannot be told without Julia, and together their lives form a single, enduring testament to what it means to lead through service, to teach with heart and to invest fully in a community. Their legacy lives on at Millsaps College—in classrooms and libraries, in scholarships and curricula, and most of all, in the lives of those they inspired.
Dr. Lewis passed away on March 10, 2026. All arrangements will be at Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church in Jackson, with a visitation on Friday, March 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:25 a.m., and a Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m.
To contribute to the scholarship fund, click here. Under “Designation,” select “other” and write, “T.W. & Julia Lewis Scholarship” as the gift designation.