Lewis Vernon Choplin

Born March 3, 1931, to Lela Smith Choplin and James Walter Choplin in Granville County, North Carolina, Lewis grew up on his father’s farm and helped with the farm during his younger years. He went into the armed services after high school and served in the Army during the Korean War. After his service ended, Lewis became a member of the Raleigh Fire Department and worked there until he retired as a District Fire Chief. 

Lewis is a member of Woodland Baptist Church and was a faithful member for as long as his health would permit. He served as a deacon and on several committees throughout the years. 

Lewis enjoyed traveling with family and friends all over the United States on his motorhome.  He visited every state in the U.S. and many parts of Canada. He enjoyed going on cruises, including going to Hawaii and taking a seven-day cruise to the various islands, taking a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River, and cruising the islands around the Bahamas. He also enjoyed square dancing, making many good friends with this hobby. 

Most of all, he enjoyed his vegetable garden, one for every season. After retiring, he grew strawberries to earn extra traveling money. He loved making new friends as they came to pick strawberries each spring. 

Lewis is preceded in death by his first wife and mother of their two sons, Jean Preddy Choplin; his grandson Christopher Choplin and his wife, Kathie Blumeyer-Choplin; his sisters Cora Bailey, Evelyn Cross, and Magdalene Thompson; his brothers James, Marlie, Joe, Elton, and Robert Samuel Choplin. 

He is survived by his wife Louise Powell Choplin; his two sons: Wayne Choplin (Sheila) and Larry Choplin (Kelly); his grandchildren: Eric Choplin (Hope); Elizabeth Sanford (Travis) and Corey Martin (Clark); his great-grandchildren, Ella Choplin and Tucker Sanford; his stepchildren, Melody Darch (Ted), Angela Keith (Bart) and Stuart Powell (Karen); his step-grandchildren, Emily Stegmann (Brian), Anna Heustis (Seth), Will Keith (Catherine), Luke Darch (Sarah Smith), Sophie Kunsa (Tyler), Sarah Armstrong (Matt), and Graham Powell; his step-great-grandchildren: Warren and Samuel Heustis; Roland and Caroline Stegmann; Emmett and Andy Darch; Charlotte Keith; and Ellie Armstrong; his sisters Billie Lowery (Henry) and Betty Williams (Keith); and many nieces and nephews and their families. 

Lewis is now in his final destination: his home in Heaven with Jesus, his Savior, and his family and friends who have gone on before him. Lewis enjoyed life and was so blessed with a wonderful family and friends whom he loved so much. 

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 Thursday afternoon, December 29, 2022 at Woodland Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Raleigh Fire Department Honors.

Friends may visit with the family prior to the service at Woodland Baptist Church from 1:00pm – 2:15pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Promedica/Heartland Hospice, 4505 Falls of Neuse Rd., Ste. 650, Raleigh, NC 27609 or to Woodland Baptist Church, 190 Woodland Church Rd., Wake Forest, NC 27587.

A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center. (919-556-5811)

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.