Donna Lewis

Donna (Hambrick) Lewis was born on November 26, 1960, to Ethel Hambrick-Cummerlander and Ted Turner along with step-father Jack Cummerlander, all whom preceded her in death, along with her brother Stanley Hambrick and sister Gerald Baskett. Donna was lovingly raised by her late grandmother, Maggie Thomas, in Harlem, New York City. Donna peacefully transitioned on November 2, 2025, surrounded by her devoted family.

Donna graduated from Norman Thomas High School, Class of 1978, and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Business and Secretarial Science from Johnson & Wales University, Class of 1982. During her college years, she pledged the Lambda lota Chapter as a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Donna dedicated over 25 years of service to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as a Configuration and Data Manager, where her professionalism and expertise left a lasting impact. Donna’s love for life extended beyond her career. She was an avid line dancer, sharing joy and rhythm throughout the 757 community and beyond as a cherished member of her beloved 2L2D Line Dance Sisters. She also had a deep affection for animals, boarding and raising several beloved dogs over the years. Additionally, Donna excelled as an Avon Ambassador, consistently ranking among the top in sales. Donna’s warmth, generosity, and vibrant spirit touched countless lives. She extended love and care to everyone she encountered, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, strength, and joy. Donna loved spending time at the casinos and loved the excitement of the slot machines, her motto was BET, BET, BET, BET, BET, BET (Lol).

​​ At the age of 55, Donna embraced a new passion that redefined purpose and creativity. She became an unstoppable force in comedy—a stand-up comedian, improv coach, sketch performer, and comedic actress known for her magnetic stage presence and infectious humor. Donna trained at Push Comedy Theater, completing Improv 101–501, and later founded Lemon Pepper & Sazón Comedy, an all-POC improv and sketch troupe that toured nationally, amplifying diverse voices in comedy. Her journey took her to stages across the country, including Dangerfield’s, Gotham Comedy Club, Broadway Comedy Club (NYC), Laugh Boston, The Comedy Union (L.A.), Atlanta Comedy Theatre, The Comedy Junt (Memphis), and Funny Bone Comedy Clubs nationwide. Donna’s fearless leadership and creativity broke barriers and inspired countless performers. She opened for comedy legend Marsha Warfield, earned first place in multiple competitions—including the World Series of Comedy at Court Square Theatre—and was featured at numerous festivals including:

​Black Women in Comedy Festival (NY), Black Girl Giggles Comedy Festival (New Orleans), Big Pine Comedy Festival (San Diego), Comics Rising Festival (Boston),Virginia Beach Comedy Festival, Carnival Line Dance Cruise (August 2025).

​A student of the Upright Citizens Brigade Diversity Fellowship in NYC and a graduate of The Onion’s Satire Comedy Workshop, Donna believed in constant growth, always learning, teaching, and uplifting others. As the founder of the Push Comedy Theater Diversity Council, she awarded nearly 100 diversity scholarships to African American, AAPI, Latinx, LGBTQIA+, and other diverse performers, giving countless artists their first opportunity to study, perform, and thrive onstage. Her legacy includes cornerstone productions like Panties in a Twist: The All-Female Sketch Show, Loud, Proud & Seasoned: The Black History Month Sketch Show, and the monthly Diversity Jam, all of which continue to showcase and celebrate diverse voices.Donna’s warmth extended far beyond the stage. She served as a mentor, festival board member, and improv instructor at events such as the Memphis Urban Laughs Comedy Festival.

Her work inspired performers nationwide to embrace authenticity, courage, and laughter as acts of liberation. Whether performing, producing, or encouraging others, Donna Lewis embodied the “fearless-after-fifty” spirit, proving it’s never too late to shine, to build, or to make people laugh until they cry. Comedy gave Donna the peace that surpasses all of our understanding. Donna always said, “I want to live doing what I love and that’s comedy”. In August 2025, she was the comedian host for the Carnival Line Dance Cruise, in which she received a standing ovation for her excellence.

​For her comedy family, she would say “I believe my purpose in life was to make people laugh, so I did what I loved and made people happy, so now you go and make it happen for you. I enjoyed it my way”.

​She leaves behind to mourn her sisters: Deborah Elsby, Jacqueline Cummerlander, Barbara Caldwell (The Family Matriarch), brother and sister in-laws Stephen and Sheila Lewis., Nieces and Nephews, (Reginald Hambrick deceased), Julian and Karie Brittano, Bakari Gifted, Layla Gifted, Thomasina Hunter, Latoya Hambrick, Stanley Hambrick, Stephanie Hambrick, Stacy Hambrick and Staki Hambrick, Stephen Lewis (Jade), Chantal Lipscomb (Justin), John Wesley Perez and a host of many other nieces and nephews; a host of cousins, Eugene White, Keenan White, Robert White, Kenyata White, Lillian White and family.

A visitation will take place on Friday November 28, 2025 from 2-6 PM at Parklawn Wood Funeral Home, located at 2551 N. Armistead Ave, Hampton VA 23666. A visitation will take place on Saturday November 29, 2025 at 10 AM at Parklawn Wood Funeral Home, followed immediately by a Celebration of Life at 11 AM.

If you are unable to join us in person, please feel free to join is on Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/ParklawnWood.

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