ANNIE LEWIS

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On December 2nd, 1946, Annie Mae Elzie (Grandma Lewis) was born in Monroe, Louisiana. After graduating from Carroll High School in 1964, Grandma Lewis moved cross country to pursue higher education. While raising a family, she completed her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of Arizona.

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Grandma Lewis had an extensive and rewarding career in nursing. She began as a Staff Nurse at the Tucson Medical Center before working her way up to Head Nurse and Unit Manager at Phoenix Baptist Hospital with specific emphasis within the Pediatric Unit. Grandma Lewis strived to become a Director of Nursing. After 20 years in the Nursing field, she achieved this goal at Tanner Chapel Manor Nursing Home. She also earned a Master's of Counseling from the University of Phoenix later in her career. ​​​​

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Grandma Lewis' caring nature led her to find ways to help others outside of her work. She volunteered with multiple nursing organizations, including the Phoenix Birthing Project, which focused on reducing the mortality rate of black babies. She taught hundreds of men, women, and children over her 40-year membership at First New Life Baptist Church. On countless occasions, my Grandma Lewis stopped what she was doing to be there for me physically, emotionally, financially; basically, anyway she could be. I'm confident anyone who has been around her a couple of times would say the same. 

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On November 18th, 2021, Grandma Lewis passed away in her home, surrounded by family and friends who loved her deeply.