Charles “Piggy” Lewis, a lifelong Dover resident known for his athletic achievements, community spirit, and deep family roots, passed away March 4, 2026. He was 69.
Born April 19, 1956, Lewis was the son of the late Elizabeth Lewis Tribbett and Clarence Tribbett. He attended Dover-area schools and graduated from Dover High School in 1974, where he distinguished himself as a standout athlete, setting multiple high school and state records in track and field.
Lewis was also proud of his heritage as a member of the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware. He embraced his Native American lineage and traditions, tracing his ancestry through generations of his family, including his mother Elizabeth Cooper and grandmother Annie Mosley Cooper.
Throughout his life, Lewis was known for his wide range of interests and hobbies. He enjoyed fishing, attending horse races at Dover Downs, and collecting coins and stamps, building extensive collections over the years. Friends and family remember him as someone who valued connection and enjoyed spending time with others.
He was also recognized in his community for his willingness to help neighbors, often providing lawn care and landscaping services in the area where he was raised.
Lewis was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Joyce and Karen Lewis; and his brother Thomas Lewis (Janice). He is survived by his sisters Theo Lewis-Braunskill (late Arnold Braunskill) and Bridget Lewis-Avant (late Richard Avant); his brothers Clarence Lewis (Barrie) and Bradford Lewis (Sylvetta); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, April 19, at 2 p.m. at Bennie Smith Funeral Home, 717 West Division Street, Dover. Burial will follow at Fork Branch Cemetery, 5200-5240 West Denney Road in Dover.
