Irene "Tiny" G. Grisby Lewis

Irene was preceded in death by her father Frank Maxey, her sister Tammy Roberts Butler and her grandparents Dawson Hall, A.D. and Irene Towns.

Irene attended Langston Elementary and E.O. Smith Jr. High School gaining grade school teachers (Mrs. Moody, Mrs. Wilder and Mrs. White) and friends who would follow her throughout her life. Irene graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School winning the Miss Wheatley Crown in 1985. The Class of the 1985 Wheatley Wildcats held strong in her heart and kept the true meaning of, “Class of 1985 All the Way Live” as they have remained close throughout her life.

Irene met her high school sweetheart Eddie R. Lewis Jr. in the tenth grade who has been faithfully by her side for the past 35 years. Irene and Eddie married on June 18, 1988 at Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church under Pastor N.T. Burleson. Three years later Irene and Eddie brought a loving baby girl, Breanne Symone Lewis, into this world on February 28, 1991. Ten years later their dashing baby boy, Eddie Roy Lewis III entered in on April 13, 2001.

Irene confessed her love for Christ at a very early age and was baptized under her childhood Pastor N.T. Burleson. Her youth matron ,Dearcy Glenn and childhood friends Hope, Bridgette, Rosland “Tiny” and Freda helped direct her spiritual paths and remain loyal to her until this day. She later joined Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church following her marriage to Eddie where she worked faithfully as Deaconess, Choir President, Benevolence Ministry Leader, and countless other titles as she saw the need. After the passing of her Pastor and Father-in-Law Ellison J. Colley Sr., Irene went on to become First Lady of the church when her husband became Senior Pastor.

Irene was diagnosed with Fibro Sarcoma in 1996, which was surgically removed leading to a full recovery. She was then later diagnosed with another soft tissue sarcoma of the Abdomen, “LMS” or Leiomyosarcoma in May of 2016. Irene fought through six cycles of advanced chemotherapy in attempts to rid the disease, which returned again a month after her 50th birthday.

Irene leaves to carry on her grace and legacy a dedicated husband, Eddie R. Lewis Jr.; a loving daughter, Breanna Lewis; a handsome son, Eddie R. Lewis III; mother Alma O’Bryant; father, Theoda O’Bryant; mother, Mary Simon; Aunt, Vera Allen; Mother-in- Law, Flora Colley; sister, Erickka Chevis (James); brother, Mark Grisby; Brother, Timmy Jackson (Joy); Sister-in- Law, Bonita Jackson (Edward); Sister-in-Law, Yolanda Fite; Nieces, Keasha Grisby, Bobbie Jean Grisby, Raveen Fite and Aliyah Chevis, Tameria Roberts, Tamenka Jackson; Nephews, Mark Grisby Jr., Jordan Fite and James Chevis Jr., Jermaine Abraham Roberts, Alan Roberts (Kim) Brian Roberts, Caleb Jackson; First cousins James Franklin (Wanda) Donetta Harris(Freddie), Aretha Burleson (Louis) Sandra Moore, a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, great cousins, Godchildren, church family and friends.

Irene has touched countless lives and her faith remained strong throughout her battle with cancer. She has been and remains a blessing to a vast number of individuals. Her spirit shines on through her children and her faith reflects in the eyes of her helpmate. Heaven has gained a warrior and she will forever be missed. “TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR THE THINGS HE HAS DONE… UNTIL.”