Lewis High

Lewis Cecil High, 84, of Monroe passed away Sunday, October 21, 2012 following a brief illness. Mr. High was born in Charlotte on July 26, 1928 as Lewis Helms, the youngest child of James Eli and Jennie Maude Walden Helms. He was raised by Augustus “Gus” and Mary Elmettie Helms High following the death of his mother in October 1929. Though aunt and uncle by lineage, they were parents in fact and treated him as an adopted son. He proudly carried the name of High throughout his life. With six brothers and sisters who were born as cousins and five brothers and sisters by birth, he had a lot of family to love, and love it he did. Married in 1949 to the late Bessie Mullis, he embraced her family with equal fervor and love. He loved attending and organizing family functions, and completed extensive genealogies for the Helms, High and Mullis families. Inspired by his older brother George, Lewis joined the United States Navy in 1945 at the age of 17. He advanced through the ranks until he was promoted to Master Chief Personnelman (E9), the highest enlisted rating in the Navy at that time. In 1962, he applied for and was accepted as an officer candidate, and was selected for a commission as an Ensign (O1). He retired in December 1967 as a Lieutenant (O3) after having proudly served over 22 years. In 1969 Lewis joined Heyward Incorporated, where he worked performing accounting and business management type duties. He retired from Heyward in 1987. Following retirement, he pursued his hobbies of genealogy, wine making and spending time with family. Following nearly 49 years of marriage, Lewis was preceded in death by his wife and love of his life, the late Bessie Mullis High, in 1998. He is survived by sons Rick High of Mooresville, and Larry High and his wife Lynn of Mint Hill; grandson and light of his life, Kenny High of Mint Hill; brothers, George High and Bill Helms; sister, Becky Beasley; and dozens of nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 p.m., Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at Hartsell Funeral Home in Midland. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday, at Long’s Grove Advent Christian Church, 8514 Morgan Mill Road, Monroe, officiated by Rev. Logan Mullis. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens and Mausoleum, 8901 Lawyers Road, Charlotte. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, Veterans of Foreign Wars at VFW Post 6480, P. O. Box 1254, Concord, NC 28026, or the charity of your choice. Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the High family.