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Edith Cherry Lewis, age 89, wife of the late Odell B. Lewis, passed away Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at Conway Medical Center. Mrs. Lewis was born in Conway, SC, a daughter of the late William Jesse and Mattie Woodle Cherry. She was also preceded in death by nine siblings and was the last surviving family member of the W.J. Cherry family. Mrs. Lewis was a graduate of Conway High School where she was a majorette in the High School Marching Band. During the post war years, Mrs. Lewis traveled to Washington, DC and worked in the secretarial pool for the FBI. She returned to Conway, SC, married, and was blessed with five children. Mrs. Lewis was a student in the first class of Coastal Carolina College in 1954 and she completed her RN degree at the University of South Carolina and subsequently worked as a Registered Nurse in a variety of hospitals, including Conway Hospital, Georgetown Hospital, Newberry Hospital, and Baptist Hospital in Columbia, SC. Mrs. Lewis also loved writing and was a gifted writer. In addition to her avid journaling, she wrote a weekly column for the Conway Field and Herald, “Through the Eyes of a Woman.” During her years as a Girl Scout leader for her daughters’ Girl Scout troops, she wrote a book, “Do’s and Don’ts for Teenage Babysitters,” as a guideline for the young girls to follow. She also wrote a book chronicling the family lineage and a book of bible stories and prayers for her grandchildren. Mrs. Lewis was always very close to her brothers and sisters. After buying the Cherry family farm in Willow Springs where she and her siblings had grown up, she received great enjoyment from hosting Christmas at the family home place for the entire Cherry family. In addition to writing, Mrs. Lewis was an avid reader, often reading 4 or more books a week. This continued up until the very last days of her life. She loved playing cards (especially Bridge and Penny Poker), dominoes, and Bingo. Mrs. Lewis loved to travel and see the world. No matter where her daughter was living as an army wife, Mrs. Lewis traveled to visit her, including flying overseas to Germany. While in Germany, she also traveled to Holland and France. Her employment with the International Traveling Nurses Organization gave her another opportunity to travel and experience new adventures. During this time, she worked in New Mexico as well as in Saudi Arabia. She travelled in Greece, Turkey and Egypt where she got to experience a new first – riding on a camel. Mrs. Lewis was an active member of Conway First United Methodist Church, where she served as a Sunday school teacher and Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) leader while her children were young. She was also a member of United Methodist Women and the Ladies Circle Club. In addition to her leadership in the Girl Scouts and MYF, Mrs. Lewis was active in The Garden Club. Survivors include; her two daughters, Cherry Lewis Thompson and husband, Phillip, of Conway, Lynette Lewis Leventis and husband, Peter, of Columbia, SC; her three sons, Edward O. Lewis of Georgetown, SC, Robert B. Lewis and wife, Gigi, of Columbia, SC, Charles J.D. Lewis of Conway; her 10 grandchildren; Scott Thompson (Michelle), Chris Thompson (Crystal), Brad Thompson (Christy), Victoria Leventis Shew (Jason), Katherine Leventis Beverly (Forrest), Amber Lewis Todd (Jordan), Robert John Lewis, James Robert Lewis (Mary Leith), Alexandra Cherry Lewis, Harry Robert Lewis; and fourteen great- grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM Friday, May 26, 2017 at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel with Reverend Kyle Randle officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Campground Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM prior to the funeral service at the funeral home. Memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church, Building Fund, 1001 5th Avenue, Conway, SC 29526. The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of Conway Manor for the care and support given to Mrs. Lewis during her residency at their facility. Please sign an online guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel is serving the family.

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Mrs. Edith Cherry Lewis

September 5, 1927 - May 23, 2017