Fern Ann Lewis

Fern Ann Lewis was in born in Cornwall, Pennsylvania to her loving parents, Frederrick D. Smith and Josephine M. Johnson, on September 29, 1937. Through her many years of love and care at an earlier age both her parents passed leaving her in the care of her grandmother. Shortly after her grandmother’s passing, Fern was placed in the care of Mr. and Mrs. Earnest Pruitt who raised her as a part of their family in Reading, Pennsylvania. She went to high school at Reading Senior High School and graduated on June 5, 1955. A few months after graduation, she joined the United States Army in the Women’s Army Corp on September 30, 1955 and became a certified Operating Room Specialist as she served her country with honor. While in the Army as a PFC she met her LOVE, a United States Navy Ship Service and 3rd Class, Vernal Alaf Lewis (deceased). They began their union of LOVE on October 3, 1956 and remained in LOVE for 50 years. Their union brought three amazing children into this world who loved her with every part of their being. Her oldest son, Vernal Alaf Lewis (deceased), her middle son Dwight Alan Lewis (deceased) and her baby girl Eileen Andrea Lewis Purnell-McAfee, were her world.

She started her Christian journey at a very young age in her father’s church in Reading, PA., where she gave her life to Jesus Christ. When she moved to Florida, she continued her Christian walk helping the community at St. John Missionary Baptist Church where Rev. A.E. Isaacs was the pastor. As the Lord led her spirit, she later attended Community Chapel for more than 10 years and served on many committees as a faithful member of the church. Her final destination given by God as a loving member and Mother of the Church, community servant, and a loving caring counselor, and an outstanding WOMAN OF GOD is with Bethel Baptist Worship Center in Riviera Beach, FL., where L.J. McNealy is the pastor. She is a member in GOOD STANDING for more than 14 years.

Fern Ann Lewis attended LPN school to fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse. Because she had compassion to help those in need of a kind gentle touch, she worked as an LPN, teacher and instructor of health for St. Mary’s Hospital for over 25 years where she touched the lives of many people. Her love of people touched her to be involved in many charities and organizations too many to name. She loved her time meditating with Christ as she enjoyed sitting outside and reading her bible and many different books of all kinds, especially her books on President Obama. Her favorite place in the world is Walt Disney World where she spent many vacations enjoying Mickey Mouse!

Fern Ann Lewis is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Vernal Alaf Lewis, her oldest son Vernal Alaf Lewis II, middle son Dwight Alan Lewis, her brother Oliver Johnson, and grandbaby Shavon Ann McAfee.

Fern Ann Lewis is survived by her daughter Eileen A. Lewis Purnell-McAfee (Stephon McAfee) of Riviera Beach, special sister Phyllis Tribble of Jacksonville, FL., grandsons Terrence Daniels (Alicia Daniels) of Port Saint Lucie, Dwight Alan Lewis and LaVan T. Purnell both of Riviera Beach, Joshua Brown of Atlanta, GA., granddaughter Alexandra Dawn McAfee of Tampa, FL., special granddaughters Da’Sha and Alicia of Riviera Beach, great-granddaughter Telicia Daniels of Port Saint Lucie, great-grandson Alex Daniels of Port Saint Lucie, and close nieces Sharron Lewis-Wright and Erica Hepburn, god-daughters Shamika Tate of West Palm Beach, Grace Jackson-Talton of Riviera Beach, and a host of many loving relatives and special friends.