Legislators honor T-Bone Lewis, present General Assembly resolution
Delegate Mitchell Cornett and Delegate Israel O'Quinn, right, present a resolution remembering Frank “T-Bone” Lewis' service to his wife, Carolyn.
When it came time for student teaching assignments, Frank “T-Bone” Lewis told his educators at Emory & Henry that he would go anywhere but Saltville. As such things tend to go, Lewis, a Wise native, was sent to Saltville. His heart was never the same.
Once, Lewis’ wife tried to get him to leave Saltville for a home a short drive away in Abingdon. He spent one night in the house and before the next day was over, Lewis told his wife, Carolyn, he couldn’t live there.
“He loved the town and everybody in it,” Carolyn told the Saltville Town Council and legislators Israel O’Quinn and Mitchell Cornett last week.
Delegates O’Quinn and Cornett, who both represent portions of Saltville in the General Assembly, appeared before the council to honor and remember Lewis who died on April 1 at the age of 89. They presented a copy of House Resolution No. 2047 to Carolyn and the couple’s daughter, Laura. The resolution was adopted by the House of Delegates on June 22.
Addressing the council, Cornett said that few people have devoted as much of their lives to service as Lewis did. For those in public service, he said, “That’s what we all strive to do” to help our community.
O’Quinn told of growing up near Saltville and family members regularly going to the town. During one of those trips, O’Quinn met Lewis. He and his dad were heading into the Piggly Wiggly. His dad stopped and talked to a man. Later, he told the young Israel that man was “T-Bone” Lewis.
Later in life, O’Quinn said wherever he went, everyone knew T-Bone and his love for Saltville and Smyth County.
As a legislator, O’Quinn said one of the best things the General Assembly gets to do is honor of the life and service of Virginians.
The resolution noted that Lewis served as an educator, coach, journalist, and public servant, including one term as a member of the council and 26 years as Saltville’s mayor.
The resolution said, “T-Bone Lewis represented the interests of Saltville residents on numerous local and regional committees and significantly enhanced the quality of life for community members through his vision, persistence, and ability to build consensus and achieve results.”
Lewis also created his lasting legacy as an educator for more than 30 years, serving as a teacher, coach, and guidance counselor at R.B. Worthy High School, a forerunner to Northwood High School.
A star basketball player in his youth, Lewis also encouraged young athletes. He served many years as a Virginia High School League official and brought professional basketball players to Saltville to headline fundraisers for the Saltville-Rich Valley Lions Club. He was inducted into the Hiwassee College, Emory & Henry College, and Smyth County Sports halls of fame.
Lewis was also a supporter of newspapers, writing columns for this newspaper and helping relaunch the Saltville Progress.
