Daisy Pearson Lewis

Obituary For Daisy Pearson Lewis

Sumter, SC

On August 18, 2021, Daisy Pearson Lewis, 94, wife of the late Onslow Lewis, transitioned. Born June 29, 1927 in Davis Station, South Carolina, she was the youngest of six children to the late Levi Pearson, Sr. and Agnes Marrion Pearson. Her mother passed away when she was 16 months old, resulting in her being raised by her father and stepmother Viola Clark Pearson who later had 8 children. Daisy attended the Mount Zion Church School, along with sister Elouise and late brother James and cousin Pinease, until the 8th grade, followed by attendance at the high school in Summerton, SC until completion of the 12th grade. She later moved to Baltimore Maryland to live with her sister Lillian. There she wed her late husband Onslow Lewis on October 1, 1956.

Daisy was an easy-going, kind and caring person who particularly loved fashion, pets, sports, family, traveling, gardening, walking and gym exercises. She walked regularly, even at the age of 91 she was still going to the local fitness center daily for machine exercises. This conditioning perhaps contributed to her ability to survive the Covid-19 disease environment, which is the most pervasive global disease in a century.

Daisy was indeed a giver who regularly shared her clothing or household items with family and friends. Whenever family members, locally or afar, or others called on her for clothing or financial assistance, she responded immediately without question. There was nothing that delighted or made her smile so heartedly than when she visited or was greeted by her family. Even at her last residence, Blue Ridge Health Care of Sumter, she regularly expressed concern for and interest in her family and delighted in the visits and treats she received. In addition to her job, Daisy loved children and served as a foster parent many times. She provided love and comprehensive care and support for these children, much like a birth parent. She was also a loving and caring aunt to her many nieces and nephews. Daisy was an avid lover of sports since childhood. She especially enjoyed baseball, followed by basketball and football. Her greatest love was the Baltimore Orioles which she supported unconditionally, then the Atlanta Braves, whether they were having a winning or losing season was of no significance to her.

Daisy loved shopping and is well known for having an eye for fashion and style. Whether it be sportswear, casual or formal dress. Whatever the occasion, you can be assured that her clothing, footwear, and accessories would be captivating.

Daisy truly enjoyed working in her yard - maintaining her outdoor plants, edging her lawn, trimming the bushes or whatever was required to groom her yard, but she refused to ride the lawn mower. She was mentally and physically independent minded and didn’t shy away from attempting home repairs or some of the most challenging household projects, such as installing flooring, and succeeding at it too.

Daisy strived in punctuality. She resented being late and she held others she associated with to the same standard. This was one of the few areas where that quiet gentle soul would speak up and let you know of her dissatisfaction.

Daisy was impactful. She may have expressed concern but never anger. Her smile and kind loving spirit were appreciated by her neighbors, church members, co-workers, friends, family members and even at her recent resident facility. She has been and will be greatly missed.

Daisy served faithfully in the Nurse’s Ministry as a member of Wayland Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland. Upon returning to her hometown of Manning, South Carolina in 2007, she served in the Usher’s Ministry, this time at Mt. Zion AME Church in Davis Station, South Carolina.

Daisy worked throughout her career in the University of Maryland Medical System in the Department of Nursing as a Nursing Assistant until her retirement. Following retirement on June 1, 1988, she worked as a Private Duty Nurse for several years prior to relocating back to her hometown of Manning, South Carolina in May 2007 to be closer to her family where she continued to work part time in providing home health care.

Daisy completed training in Home Health Care, Infant and Child Care CPR, Assistive Devices for Ambulation, Fire Safety, Pain Mediation, Morbid Obesity, Nanny Training, and Advanced Directives and End of Life Training. She has received Distinguished Achievement Awards in many of these categories. However, one of Daisy’s most notable recognitions comes from her attendance in the Clarendon County School System which led to her late father, Levi Pearson, Sr. having to file a lawsuit against the school system to seek public provided transportation services for his three school age children, namely Daisy, Elouise and James. Though this case was dismissed on a technicality, the lawsuit was succeeded by a second lawsuit, Briggs vs Elliot, which eventually resulted in the Supreme Court Decision in 1954 demanding equal education opportunity for all students regardless of race. As a result of this case, her late father Levi was a recipient of a Congressional Gold Medal posthumously in 2004. In 2019, Dr. Lonnie E. Bunch, Founding Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in Washington, DC, congratulated Daisy on her role in helping to advance equal educational opportunities for children of color. The NMAACH gift shop and bookstore has material recognizing Daisy’s participation in the Clarendon County School System. Further, author Julian Wiles noted “I was honored to include Daisy and the Pearson family in my play, The Seat of Justice, which premiered in Charleston at The Historic Dock Street Theatre in 2004. My play was just a small part in telling this “must be told” story of bravery, endurance, sacrifice and redemption. Daisy and her family are owed an enormous debt by the current and future generations. We must continue to work to continue her journey toward justice and freedom in each of our lives.”

Daisy was preceded in death by her husband, Onslow Lewis, 5 brothers, Willie, Ferdinand, Levi Jr., James, and Harold; 4 sisters, Inez Levy, Lillian Davis, Virginia Lemon and Vinell Nelms.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory four sisters, Elouise Wineglass of Hillside, NJ, Carrie Jones of Newark, NJ, and Olar Slappy and Mary Pearson both of Manning, SC; sister-in-law, Clemetine Pearson and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and acquaintances. Funeral services for Mrs. Lewis were held 11:00 AM Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at Hayes F. Samuels, Sr. Memorial Chapel, 114 North Church St. Manning, SC. Rev. Dr. Courtney Colleton, officiated, Rev. Samuel L. Davis, assisted. Burial followed in the Garrison Forest Cemetery, 11501 Garrison Forest Road, Ownings Mills, MD.