In Fond Memory
Mr. Lewis Edward Aylor, 1929 - 2006

(February 22, 2006)

Family and friends packed the Chestnut Grove Baptist Church in Brightwood, Virginia, Saturday to pay their last respects to Lewis Aylor, a retired loyal George Mason High School employee of 37 years.

Mr. Aylor, a former member of the custodial department, was one of the most beloved employees ever to work at Mason. He was 77 when he died February 13 at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, VA.

In the “Homecoming Services” for Mr. Aylor, Mr. George Banks, the former mayor of Front Royal, Virginia, played two moving saxophone numbers for his old friend.

Ms. Valerie Sandy, Mr. Aylor’s granddaughter, then read a poem titled “Daddy Lue, Daddy Lue” in memory of her granddad. As his first granddaughter, Ms. Sandy recalled how her grandfather had spoiled her and given her advice that has served her well throughout her life. Ms. Witney Thaxton, a great granddaughter of Mr. Aylor, then sang a beautiful song to honor her grandfather.

The ceremony was presided over by the Reverend Bernard Snipes and the eulogy was presented by the retired Reverend Townes of Hopewell Baptist Church of which Mr. Aylor was a member for many years.

When Mr. Aylor, one of the longest-running employees ever in the school system’s history, retired along with Mr. Ernest Lowry who was head custodian at the time, the entire student body, grades 6-12, celebrated their careers in an enthusiastic assembly in the gymnasium. At the conclusion of the ceremony, and at their request, the two positioned themselves at the exit and handed out candy to the students as they departed.

Mr. Aylor was born on January 18, 1929. He and his late wife of 51 years, Virginia E. Aylor, made their home in Falls Church, VA.  He is survived by his four children, Jean E. Moses, Ruth E. Grogan, Shirley A. Porter, and Marvin E. Aylor and two sons-in-law Vernon E. Moses and Donald L. Porter. Mr. Aylor had five grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren and a host of in-laws, nieces and nephews.