Rev. Dr. Carolyn Foster Bailey Lewis, 78, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in Columbus, OH, at Riverside Methodist Hospital. Born September 19, 1948, in Pittsburgh, PA, she was the only child of David Foster and Jacqueline Robinson Foster. At six months years old moving forward, she was raised by her great aunt, Thelma Stone “Mama Thelma,” in Bluefield, WV. Mama Thelma’s hotels, Hotel Thelma, and Travelers Inn were in the Green Book. Rev. Dr. Carolyn Foster Bailey Lewis attended West Virginia University, in Morgantown, West Virginia. She was the first African American female graduate of the Perley I. Reed School of Journalism, now the Reed School of Media and Communications. She obtained her Master of Science in Journalism from West Virginia University, in Morgantown (where she was inducted into the WVU Hall of Fame); and her Ph.D., in Communication Studies, in the Scripps College of Communication, at Ohio University.

Rev. Dr. Carolyn Bailey Lewis retired from public media in 2011 following a distinguished 38-year career as a public broadcasting/media professional. West Virginia Broadcasting in Morgantown, WNPB-TV (1972-1997) -Writer/Announcer, Continuity Chief, Community Relations Manager, Director of Public Information and Graphic Design, and General Manager. In 1994, she was named the first African American woman general manager of a full-service public television station in the continental United States. In 1995, the station produced an unparalleled six-and-and-a-half-hour history of the state, West Virginia: A Film History. Served as Director and General Manager of the WOUB Center for Public Media at Ohio University (1997-2011), first African American woman. She led the station through strategic planning, reorganization, and change, including WOUB’s conversion from analog to digital television. She garnered myriad national, regional, and local awards, and produced and hosted both radio and television programs. She was a consultant to other public broadcasting stations and mentored students. In 2013, she was named Director and General Manager Emerita, WOUB Center for Public Media, by the Ohio University Board of Trustees.

Rev. Dr. Carolyn Foster Bailey Lewis’ academic experience includes West Virginia University Perley I. Reed School of Journalism (now the Reed School of Media and Communications), where she taught Media Issues and Ethics, Introduction to Mass Communication, and Public Relations; Ohio University School of Media Arts and Studies – Public Telecommunications, Media Management, Leadership for the Media Industries, Gender Leadership in Media, Women and the Media, and Public Media in the Digital Environment; Ohio University School of Communication Studies – Advanced Presentations, Cross Cultural Communication, Advanced Organizational Communication, Women and Health Communication.

She has edited books, authored articles in journals, served on Ph.D. and master’s degree committees, made numerous local, state, regional, and national presentations, and guest lectured for classes. In 2005, she established the Robert F. Lewis. Jr. Memorial Fund at Ohio University to provide scholarships for deserving students in the WOUB Student Professional Development Program. She is the author of Love and Loss: The Storied Nature of Nursing Home Care.

She was the Co-Founder and Chairman, The Dr. Carolyn Foster Bailey Lewis Family Foundation; Member, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ®, Alpha Sigma Omega Chapter, in Columbus, OH; Board Member, Ohio University Alumni Association; Member; Alfred Street Baptist Church, Alexandria, VA. Some past associations include: Member, Athens City Commission on Disabilities, Member, Athens City Commission on Disabilities Education and Outreach Committee and Athena Committee; Mentor, 10-15 Students/Alumni Per Year; and Host, Conversations from Studio B, WOUB Public Media – Issues Related to Disability, Access, Health, and Inclusion. She has also been on the Board of Trustees, America’s Public Television Stations; Executive Committee, University Licensee Association, Board of Director’s, National Educational Telecommunications Association; Chair, PBS Advertising and Promotion Advisory Committee; Chair, Southern Educational Communication Association Public Information Committee; Member, National Black Programming Consortium Board; Member, Womenfuture.com National Media Advisory Board; Advisor, Children’s Television Workshop Sesame Street Public Affairs Committee; Advisor, The Magic School Bus Promotion Committee; and President, Vice President, Secretary, Ohio Television Stations.

Rev. Dr. Carolyn Foster Bailey Lewis is survived by her devoted son, Mr. Carey I. Bailey (Nakia), her loving daughter, Dr. Caryn M. Bailey, and her dear grandchildren, Evann L. Bailey and Leah N. Bailey.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 10:00 AM, with the viewing at 9:00 AM, at Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, at 24 Morris St, Athens, OH 45701. She will be eulogized by Rev. James Mitchell, Pastor, Infirmity Prayer Service, Bluefield, WV.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested all acts of kindness be directed to donations to the Dr. Carolyn Bailey Lewis Leadership Award at WOUB Public Media at Ohio University, P.O. Box 869, Athens, OH, 45701. Please make it payable to The Ohio University Foundation.

Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.