Carlyle Lewis

Infobox Person

name = Carlyle Blackburn Lewis

image_size =
caption = Picture found in Family Albulm
birth_date = September 9, 1915
birth_place = Richmond, Virginia
death_date = November 9, 1980 (aged 65)
death_place = Lexington, North Carolina:Useful category:

Carlyle Blackburn Lewis was an outstanding Amateur tennis player who was inducted into the North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame [http://www.nctennis.com/contentdetail.asp?ContentID=77] in 1978 for his accomplishments on the courts. [North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame] In 1981, shortly after his death, the Carlyle Lewis Memorial Tennis Courts were named after him in Madison, North Carolina. Also in 1981, the North Carolina Tennis Association awarded Carlyle the Lifetime achievement award for his many achievements on and off the tennis courts.

History

Carlyle Blackburn Lewis was born in Richmond Virginia on September 9, 1915 to Douglas Tapp Lewis and Charlotte "Lottie" Cheatham. Carlyle was the middle child of four children with two older brothers named Douglas (who died in infancy) and Robert. Carlyle had a younger sister named Margaret. At the age of two, Carlyle's mother died unexpectantly. At the age of four, Carlyls's father died and he and his siblings were forced to live with separate relatives. Living withi his Uncle Kennth, Carlyle developed a love for the game of tennis. Throughout his early childhood, Carlyle spent many hours watching players at local tennis courts and would run after balls hoping for a chance to hit a few rounds with anyone who would offer. [A Memoir by Nancy Lewis Bullins]

As Carlyle grew up, his love for the game of tennis turned into a passion. It was said that Carlyle was the "Johnny Appleseed of Tennis" because everywhere Carlyle moved new tennis courts sprung up! Later in life, Carlyle would win numerous tournaments in singles and doubles and continued playing until the late 1970's.

Carlyle married Agnes Nicholson Porter and had three children: Susan, Elizabeth "Betty", and Nancy.

Interesting facts

Carlyle Blackburn Lewis is the great great great grand nephew of Captain Meriwether Lewis. The lineage connection to Captain Meriwether Lewis is through his Sister Jane Meriwether Lewis (Carlyle's great great great grandmother). The connection to Jane Meriwether is as follows:

Accomplishments

1978 Inducted into the North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame

1980 Received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the development of Tennis throughout North Carolina.

1981 On September 20, Tennis Courts named after Carlyle B. Lewis.

Notes