Esperanza "Eppie" Medina Merced Lewis, 80, passed away at home surrounded by her family on February 25, 2023.

Funeral service will be at 11:30 am on Wednesday,  March 1, 2023 at St. Catherine's Catholic Church.

Eppie was born on December 18,1942 in San Juan Puerto Rico.

She is preceded in death by her biological mother, Catalina Merced; biological father, Fernando García; mother, Julia Merced Medina; father, Tomas Medina; and brother, Hernan Garcia.

She is survived by her husband, Jimmie Edwin Lewis of 61 years; daughter, Sandy Fanny (Leo) of Clayton; son, Ken Lewis (Lisa) of Sanford; daughter, Julie Braxton (Al) of Tarboro. Her family grew from 2 to 23 members. She has 5 grandchildren: Heather Fanny, Brad Lewis (Harley), Kristin Mirabal (Ariel), Caleb Braxton, and Allison Braxton. Great grandchildren: Julian Fanny, Emmarie and Lilly Mirabal, Liam and Levi Lewis, Ziva Braxton, Lyla and Femke Braxton, and many other nieces, nephews and cousins abroad, and her sister, Martha Garcia.

She retired from Mayo Knitting Mill of 22 years and became a volunteer at Heritage Hospital now known as ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital for 23 years. She loved visiting and making new friends and became known as the Bingo lady! She also volunteered at Patillo School in 1999. She served as a Guard Crossing attendant for Stocks Elementary School. She was very well known throughout the community of her many home visits and her smile and kindness to all. She did not know a stranger. Eppie was a devoted Catholic and was a member of St. Catherine's Catholic Church for 55 plus years. She loved her family and especially her grandchildren. Family meant everything to her and was a big part of family events.

The family would like to Thank the entire staff of Gentiva Hospice for all their attention and care we received for our mom and a special Thank you to Danitha.

Visitation will be at 10:00-11:00am on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at Carlisle Funeral Home.