Erlene Lewis

Erlene Baxley Lewis, 95, of Bladenboro, passed away on Sunday, December 30, 2018. She was preceded in death by her parents: Broadus and Margaret Baxley; husband: Edward Berry Lewis; sister: Sara M. Baxley Hucks; brother: B. Elbert Baxley and granddaughter: Jenny P. Lewis Britt. Erlene leaves behind one son: Edward Ross Lewis and wife, Penny Langston Lewis; two grandchildren: Ross Lewis, Jr. and Berry Lewis, both of Bladenboro; five great-grandchildren: Colby Lewis, Cara Beth Lewis, Khloe Lewis. Collin Britt and Taylor Lewis.

In 1944, Erlene graduated from the Baker Sanatorium School of Nursing in Lumberton, NC. It was after this when her nursing career soared to great heights. In August 1970, Erlene was employed with Bladen County Hospital as a staff nurse for 3 months. She was then promoted to nursing supervisor until July 1976 and became the director of nursing for six years. She was awarded the Citizen of the Year award in 1979 from the Bladenboro Lions Club and the Boss of the Year award from the American Business Women Association (ABWA) in 1981. From 1982-1990, Erlene was in charge of the general program of Public Health for Robeson County. She then became a part-time home health nurse in Columbus County from 1990-2007. Erlene retired at the age of 83.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 2nd from 1-2pm at First Baptist Church in Bladenboro with a funeral service at 2pm. Rev. Charles Hester will be officiating the services. A burial will follow in the Lewis Family Cemetery in Bladenboro.