Obituary for Ann Brooke Lewis
Ann Brooke Perkins Lewis, known as “Jody” to childhood and long-time friends, died suddenly
Wednesday morning, May 3, 2023. Born September 2, 1948 in Richmond, Va., she was the only child of Hannah Trowbridge Mallory Perkins and Joseph Minor Perkins. Jody grew up in
Tappahannock on the campus of St. Margaret’s School. She graduated from Mary Baldwin
College with a degree in English and received a Master’s of Arts from the University of
Richmond.
Jody lived in Richmond much of her adult life, where she dedicated herself to teaching high
school English at Collegiate School, raising three children, and being a devoted partner to her
husband, Shepherd. She and Shepherd moved to Tappahannock and to the banks of her
beloved Rappahannock River upon Shepherd’s retirement in 1990. She returned to St.
Margaret’s School and taught AP English into her 60s. The knowledge of and passion for
literature she imparted to her students was her life’s work and her lasting legacy.
Recently, the couple split their time between Tappahannock and their apartment at
Westminster-Canterbury in Richmond where she kept up with numerous friends and former
colleagues and students. A life-long Episcopalian, Jody was a member of St. John’s Church in
Tappahannock.
She is survived by her husband Shepherd Fitz-Hugh Lewis and her three children and their
spouses: Ann Brooke Lewis Raynal and husband Charles Edward Raynal IV, Mary Latane’
Lewis, Shepherd Fitz-Hugh Lewis, Jr. and wife Catherine Stuart Crafton Lewis. Also surviving
her death are grandchildren Rosemary Trowbridge Raynal, Margaret Latane’ Raynal, Alexander
Fleet Dillard IV, William Fitzhugh Dillard, Catherine Stuart Lewis, and Shepherd Fitz-Hugh
Lewis, III as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service is planned for May 13th at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church,
Tappahannock. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Margaret’s School annual
fund, P.O. Box 158, Tappahannock, Va. 22560. A brief reception following the service will be
held at the Brockenbrough House, St. Margaret’s School, 444 Water Lane, Tappahannock, Va.
Wednesday morning, May 3, 2023. Born September 2, 1948 in Richmond, Va., she was the only child of Hannah Trowbridge Mallory Perkins and Joseph Minor Perkins. Jody grew up in
Tappahannock on the campus of St. Margaret’s School. She graduated from Mary Baldwin
College with a degree in English and received a Master’s of Arts from the University of
Richmond.
Jody lived in Richmond much of her adult life, where she dedicated herself to teaching high
school English at Collegiate School, raising three children, and being a devoted partner to her
husband, Shepherd. She and Shepherd moved to Tappahannock and to the banks of her
beloved Rappahannock River upon Shepherd’s retirement in 1990. She returned to St.
Margaret’s School and taught AP English into her 60s. The knowledge of and passion for
literature she imparted to her students was her life’s work and her lasting legacy.
Recently, the couple split their time between Tappahannock and their apartment at
Westminster-Canterbury in Richmond where she kept up with numerous friends and former
colleagues and students. A life-long Episcopalian, Jody was a member of St. John’s Church in
Tappahannock.
She is survived by her husband Shepherd Fitz-Hugh Lewis and her three children and their
spouses: Ann Brooke Lewis Raynal and husband Charles Edward Raynal IV, Mary Latane’
Lewis, Shepherd Fitz-Hugh Lewis, Jr. and wife Catherine Stuart Crafton Lewis. Also surviving
her death are grandchildren Rosemary Trowbridge Raynal, Margaret Latane’ Raynal, Alexander
Fleet Dillard IV, William Fitzhugh Dillard, Catherine Stuart Lewis, and Shepherd Fitz-Hugh
Lewis, III as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service is planned for May 13th at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church,
Tappahannock. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Margaret’s School annual
fund, P.O. Box 158, Tappahannock, Va. 22560. A brief reception following the service will be
held at the Brockenbrough House, St. Margaret’s School, 444 Water Lane, Tappahannock, Va.