Alyssa Michelle Lewis

Alyssa Michelle Lewis, 19, passed away on December 12, 2017 in Orlando, FL. She was born in West Columbia, SC and grew up in Jacksonville, FL. After graduating Douglas Anderson School of the Arts with honors, she moved to Orlando, FL where she attended the University of Central Florida as a Health Sciences Pre-Clinical major with intentions of becoming a physical therapist. She was an active member of her home church, Mandarin United Methodist Church, and was also active in her newfound church family in Orlando, Wesley at UCF.

Growing up, Alyssa was a dedicated student of dance, studying and practicing many different forms of dance for over 13 years and participating in the First Coast Nutcracker for 4 years and in many different recitals and performances.

While in high school, Alyssa was active in the National Honor Society, served as Vice President of Communications for National Dance Honor Society, was an active member of the Dance Guild, and volunteered in many ways for Parent-Teacher-Student-Association. She also participated in a bowling league where she competed in many different bowling tournaments.

At UCF, she was very active in numerous organizations. Her freshman year, she became involved with Wesley at UCF, joining the Freshley and Wildflowers study groups. She coached Upward soccer, was accepted into LEAD Scholars, and did countless volunteer projects and mission trips. As a sophomore, she became a peer mentor for LEAD Scholars, and also continued to coach Upward soccer. She stayed involved with Wesley by joining the outreach team and getting involved in a leadership role. She had also just been accepted as a Resident Assistant for housing at UCF and was to start her full duties this coming spring 2018 semester.

She was caring, sweet, sassy, bold, and above all else, loving. Her heart and hugs will be missed by everyone who was blessed to know her.

She is survived by her loving parents: Bill and Teresa Lewis; older sister, Bethany Lewis; paternal grandmother, Dr. Charlotte Lewis; paternal aunt, Charlotte Lawson; paternal uncle, Dean (Mary Carroll) Lewis; maternal uncle, Larry (Colleen) Houghton; maternal aunt, Cheryl (Don) Samek; cousins: Zachary and Sarah Lawson, Christian, Caleb, Silas and Chloe Lewis, Chris (Karrie) Houghton, Kevin (Hannah) Houghton, Tara Samek and Erika (Jeff) Ketchum; 2nd cousins: Maddie, Grace, Drew, Alexander, Taylor, Chase, Alexandr and 2 on the way; and a host of extended family and friends. Celebration of Alyssa’s life will be held at 2 PM, Thursday, December 21, 2017 at Mandarin United Methodist Church, 11270 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223 with Rev. Jeffrey St. Clair and Rev. Will Wold officiating.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to either:

1. UCF Wesley, her church family in Orlando, to help with their mission trip fund at (http://www.wesleyatucf.org/donate/) using the “Contribution” line (2nd entry down on the donation page) and write in “Alyssa Lewis Mission Trip Scholarship.”

2. Alyssa was going to be participating in her first year with Knight-Thon (UCF’s philanthropy for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals). (https://events.dancemarathon.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=383428)

Arrangements by HARDAGE-GIDDENS RIVERMEAD FUNERAL HOME, 127 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park, FL. Please post words of comfort at www.hardage-giddensrivermead.com.