Doris Garner Lewis

Our Mother, Doris Garner Lewis, 81, of Tarboro NC and formerly of Knightdale NC, passed away on Thursday, October 14, 2021.  She left her beloved earthly farm and home in the most extraordinary and amazing way surrounded by family and friends. Her well-loved and lived life ended here on this side of Heaven, but it has just begun on the other side with our Dad and a multitude of dear ones waiting to greet her. Despite many health challenges throughout her life, she persevered through each and every one to the point of resiliency defying odds right to the very end. Our Dad, Doug Lewis Sr, was the love of her life and preceded her in death in May of 2018; and being a farmer's wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and good neighbor were her greatest joys. Married in November 1959, they lived and raised their family on a family farm off Old Milburnie Road in Knightdale NC. In 1987, they moved to their D&D Lewis Angus Farm off Britt Farm Road outside of Tarboro, NC. The deep roots of family and friends remain strong in both areas to this day. 

Left to mourn her are daughter, Vickie Lewis Clay (David) of Wilmington NC; son, M. Douglas "Doug" Lewis, Jr. of Tarboro NC; precious granddaughters, Hannah Hopkins (Lee) of Wendell NC, and Trinity Lewis of Holly Springs NC; adored great-granddaughters, Eden and Eliza Hopkins; and many nieces and nephews. Our mom was born and raised in the Corinth Holders community by her parents Joel and Lula Garner (deceased). In a large family of 12 siblings, 7 girls and 5 boys, stories and vivid memories sustained them. Mom had a wonderful relationship with all her siblings, but none more special than with her surviving sister, Pansy G. Mitchell of Wendell, NC, who was the marrow donor (CGL leukemia) for a bone marrow transplant procedure at Johns Hopkins Hospital-Baltimore in April 1991. We will forever be indebted to Aunt Pansy for giving us 30 more amazing years with our Mom post-transplant. Another special angel in that life-changing endeavor was her sister, Sue Strickland (Windsor VA, now deceased), who accompanied Mom as loyal caregiver and devoted advocate for her recovery during the entire 6-month stay in Baltimore. Siblings who predeceased her were brothers: Willard, Joel Jr, John, Ben, Charles; and sisters: Mary Bunch, Catherine Doan, Helen Davis, Laura Faye Wilder, and Sue Strickland

The family will receive friends at Carlisle Funeral Home, Tarboro, NC. Sunday afternoon, October 17, 2021  from 6:00 until 8:00 pm and other times at the home, 1022 Britt Farm Road, Tarboro, N. C. A graveside service will be held  Monday, October 18, 2021, 3:00 pm, Old Knightdale Baptist Church, second avenue,  Knightdale, N.C. Poole Funeral Service will be assisting with graveside service.

Deepest appreciation to Mom's special medical provider, Lisa Coltrane NP, and these in-home caregivers who tirelessly made these last weeks with our Mother a true gift - Christy Flores, Brittany Cruz, Mae Melton, Jennie Pollard, and Kathy Demery. Our endless gratitude to Vidant Home Health and Hospice, specifically, Hillary Jarmin and Patricia Castro. Thank you, Pastor Jeff Holden of Eagles Baptist Church for your ministry to our family.

Donations to Eagles Baptist Church, 184 NC124 W, Macclesfield, NC  27852 in memory of our Mom would make her the happiest. She loved her church family there so very much.

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