By Donna Taylor
The town of Como has lost a valuable piece of its history. Former Mayor Azria “Bobby” Lewers, was laid to rest on Sunday, August 2 at his lifelong church, Cistern Hill. He was 70 years young.
   Bobby was born and raised in Como to some well-respected parents, Mr. Elbert Lewers, and his late wife, Eva. She was a beautiful soul.

Everyone in the neighborhood knew him. When he ran for a board of alderman position, the whole town swelled with pride after he was elected the first Black alderman. He later became our first Black mayor and I am still proud today that I got a chance to witness and be a part of history. Bobby’s mayoral bid probably was the catapult for more young adults voting. That still continues to this day. I can’t remember the year he became our mayor but I do know he served six terms.

  My late parents, Rev. Mack Henry and Hazel Taylor, were very good friends with our mayor. They also voted in that historic election. My parents were big supporters of his, as was a lot of other people. Dad and Bobby collobarated and put together the first National Day of Prayer in Como. Other local ministers played a role in that endeavor as well.

 His homegoing service was attended by several local and state dignitaries. They included incumbent State Senator Robert Jackson, Rep. Lataisha Jackson, Dist. One Supervisor James Birge,the current mayor and the Como board of aldermen.

  His masonic brothers, Hira Temple #131in Clarksdale, were dressed in their official attire complete with white gloves. They performed their ritual for their fallen brother. Several people spoke at his service. My brother Mack Taylor, jr., told the mourners about his term as vice mayor for Bobby. The church was full so the church members had set up a television in the fellowship hall for the overflow crowd. My daughter , Bonnie and I sat in there because of the very large crowd.

   Some people will read this and say, “well that man couldn’t have been THAT good!” No one is without flaws. We’re all human. I was always taught to respect the dead, not rag on them when they transition from this world. He was my father’s good friend and I honor the man that my father and our community thought of as one of our own. A young man who lived right down the street from us, sought and won the highest position in town. It’s praiseworthy.

  Bobby was given a royal farewell, something I think he earned and deserved. To go out like you lived….In style.

Peace y’all!
(In memory of Como Mayor Azria “Bobby” Lewers, Donna Taylor has revisited for this edition her column, “The Dark Side.”)