Eris “Big” Lambrecht Switzer Lewis

Eris “Big” Lambrecht Switzer Lewis, age 98, born on August 20, 1923, in Gulfport, MS, passed away on April 5, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph (Jeff) Lambrecht and Ethel Wilson Lambrecht Cruthirds Lanouette; her sisters, Billie Lambrecht Alderin and Doris Lambrecht Tilley; her brother, Ray Lambrecht; her stepbrother, Marion Cruthirds, Jr. and stepsister, Virginia Graham Murphy.

Eris is survived by her daughter, Patricia Switzer Beasley; her son, Michael Switzer (Becky), 7 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Eris was a woman of great faith who loved God, her family and her community.

At an early age Eris loved joining her father, a subcontractor specializing in stucco, and worked on many of his projects which sparked her future career in constructing and flipping homes (before it was a thing). At the age of 18 she placed her first down payment on her first house, where her life’s work of “flipping” began.

Eris was instrumental in the establishment of Michael Memorial Baptist Church. The suggestion came from her son, Michael Switzer (age 12 at the time), who recognized the need of a church in the community. Michael had spoken with Reverend Stanley File, the son-in-law of Reverend P. S. Dodge a well-known Pastor on the Coast. Reverend Dodge would pick up children on Pass Road for Sunday School, and Eris was one of those children he would pick up. Rev. Stanley File visited Eris while she was in the hospital recovering from back surgery and came up with a plan to see if the Finley Community was interested in a new church.  She held the first prayer meeting in her home in September of 1955 with 30 in attendance.

Mr. V. L. Padgett and wife, Cleo Padgett, donated a lot on the corner of John Clark and Schanbacher Roads.

The first building was a shed with posts holding up a tin roof. When cold weather came, Eris along with Mrs. Cleo Padgett, added tar paper walls and a donated wood heater to protect from the weather.

A few months later, on a Sunday afternoon, Mr. Sherman Switzer and other members of Bowen Memorial Baptist Church (Now known as Fernwood Baptist Church) loaded up the piano, benches and chairs on the back of his truck and delivered them to the mission. About twenty members of Bowen Memorial attended worship service at Michael Memorial that Sunday. It was a special day because twenty people were baptized in V. L. Padgett’s pond.

Reverend File ordained A. V. Clements in November 1955. The shed mission was officially organized as a Southern Baptist Church. Reverend Clements held a secret ballot election and the name “Michael Memorial Baptist Church” was chosen.

There being no building fund, families gave what they could. V. L. Padgett poured the foundation, laid the blocks and oversaw the volunteers who completed the construction of the church.

Eris was active in the Finley Community in the 50’s and 60’s, hosting many events including teen dances, class parties, cookouts, picnics at the old Little Biloxi River swim hole on Shaw Road and even teaching some of the youths how to swim.

She was especially proud of her children. Patricia Switzer Beasley, proprietor of Pat’s Flag Service, who escorted rockets, satellites and Mars Rovers for NASA and rockets for Space X received a Certificate of Recognition from NASA for her services.

Michael Switzer for his leadership in the water/wastewater treatment field. He served as president of the Mississippi Water Environment Association and a Director of the Mississippi Water and Pollution Control Operators’ Association.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 AM on Monday, May 16, 2022 at Michael Memorial Baptist Church, 15053 John Clark Road, Gulfport, MS, 39503.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, served the family. An online obituary may be viewing and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com

In lieu of flowers, in the remembrance of Eris Lewis’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Michael Memorial Baptist Church Building Fund.