Lewis Roberson Cheek, 82, of Dairyland Road in Chapel Hill died Saturday, June 6, 2009. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, of the home; two daughters, Katrina Wright and her husband, Kurt, of Charlotte, and Diane Alridge and husband, Scott, of Holly Springs; and by a son, Kevin Cheek, of Hillsborough.
Lewis also leaves behind a sister, Nancy Gaines, and brother, Larry Cheek, both of Chapel Hill.
Surviving as well are grandchildren Cassie Wright and Adam Wright of Charlotte and Brandon Alridge and Ryan Alridge of Holly Springs.
He was predeceased by his parents, Lemuel and Ola Cheek of Chapel Hill, who died in 1987, and his older brother and lifelong dairy farm partner, Everett Cheek, who died in January of 2009.
Lewis was born in 1927. He grew up on Lemola Farm and lived there all his life. He, Everett and their father owned purebred Ayrshire dairy cattle. They took great pride in breeding and showing their cows and Lewis was honored late in his career by being named to the North Carolina State Fair Livestock Hall of Fame.
For many years, Lewis served as Sunday school superintendent and deacon at Bethel Baptist Church. He was close to God, to his friends and especially to his family, for whom he was a constant source of good-natured wit and humor.
Lewis loved the North Carolina Tar Heels. This spring, he had the immense pleasure of watching them win one more national basketball championship.