Cassandra "San" Lewis

And so it began…a beautiful story took shape on January 17, 1976 down in the Valley of Brownwood, Texas. Cassandra was born to her loving mother, Matize “Mavis” Lewis, and her father, Haven “Haywood” Duffie. She was the eldest of four children raised in Brownwood and Bangs, TX. During these years, San, as she was affectionately known, created many memories with her sisters and brother. It was also during the early years that the seeds of faith were planted in her heart that eventually bloomed as she became a woman of strong faith. This faith helped her through many of life’s challenges. Growing up, the family attended New Testament Holiness Church, where “San’s” voice could be heard in the choir. She graduated in 1994 from Bangs High School. She relocated to Abilene in 1998 as a new mother and began a new journey. She took classes at The American Commercial College and obtained her business certificate. San had a heart for helping others and loved working with children and children loved her. She worked many places, to name a few, Abilene State School, Jane Long, Kenmar Enterprises and currently Abilene ISD. She was looking forward to her new position in the school system as a substitute teacher. She also currently was working on her degree in Education from McMurry University, having taken a break to deal with her health. Though she was a hard worker professionally, she also devoted time to KEPT an organization for which she served as an organizer, and Mindful Singles. She loved interior design, fashion, and more than anything, she liked sharing her creations with her family, always wanting their opinion. She was naturally creative and gifted in many different forms of art from writing beautiful and meaningful poetry, to sculpting, and was even working on a book. She also loved photography, with her favorite photo subject being herself! However many jobs, talents, or pastimes, her priority in life was her two children to whom she served as a confidante, and #1 cheerleader, always wanting to see them succeed and go to the next level. Her love did not just stop for her children but to their friends also. Once her grandchildren came into the picture, her life took on new meaning. She loved being, “Vavee” to Araya and Marcel. Though her journey was short, it was extraordinary and the perfect example of, genuine and gentle love.

She was preceded in death by her father, Haywood Duffie; grandmother, Bessie Lee Neal; grandfather, Nelson Williams; paternal grandparents, Martha and Joe Duffie; aunt, Anita Neal Banks, and a cousin, Christopher Morris.

She leaves to cherish precious memories, her two children, Jason D. Lewis, and Mieka N. Lewis; her precious grandchildren, Araya and Marcel Lewis; her loving mother, Mavis Lewis; stepfather, Tommy Lewis, Sr., siblings, Laqueta Lewis, Niccole “Pooh-Shay” Lewis, and Tommy Lewis, Jr., nephews, Dante, Tyrique Lewis; and her niece, Xiuyan; a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives, and many special co-workers and friends.

When she was growing up, singing the choir, she use to sing the song, “Going up Yonder”, we find comfort in knowing that song has now become her reality.