Irene H Lewis

Mazie Irene (Herring) Lewis “Irene”, age 87, made her journey home on Friday, September 20, 2019, where she will live forevermore with dear friends and family. The daughter of Thomas & Mazie Herring, she was born on February 28, 1932 in Rose Hill, North Carolina, the 7th of 9 children.

Irene graduated from Magnolia High School in 1951. She was a basketball player and named highest scorer in all the games. Irene was also voted the “prettiest girl” her senior year. She first attended Woman’s College in Greensboro then transferred to Louisburg College in NC, where she studied liberal arts. Education was an important aspect of her family’s life.

Irene met her first husband in North Carolina at a dance at Fort Bragg, where he was stationed. They married in 1953 and moved to Detroit, Michigan which was his hometown. They had two girls and many adventures. The family drove the Alaskan Highway in 1960 to live and work in Fairbanks for 2 years. They then traveled south back to Winston-Salem, North Carolina before moving back to Michigan.

Irene was an excellent seamstress and made beautiful clothes for herself and her children. She was active in many volunteer groups along the way. No matter where she was, there were always good friends and a bridge game. After separating from her first husband in 1969, Irene worked for Wayne County, MI as an audiology technician in a children’s clinic. She maintained many professional friendships and enjoyed working with the children.

In 1984 Irene married the love of her life, Howard Lewis, an engineer and gentleman of the south, they had a lot in common. She now became an avid golfer and enjoyed socializing at Pine Lake Country Club. They lived in Bloomfield Hills, MI and created what they affectionately called “The Brady Bunch”, with Howard’s three boys and Irene’s two girls. Together they gave nine grandchildren wonderful memories of growing up with attentive and caring grandparents. She loved to sing songs and play games with them. The children enjoyed great adventures with their “nana”, but she always held them to her teachings of “good manners”! Irene made them all feel special, interested in everything they were doing and recognizing each one’s special talents and personality.

Howard and Irene shared time between Florida and Michigan before building a home in Port St. Lucie, FL on a beautiful golf course along the Port St. Lucie River. They spent 20 years there and vacationed all over the world including all the choice destinations in the United States. Their travels included 15 cruises. Irene always had her suitcase packed and was ready to go.

Irene had an impact on all the lives she touched. You always knew she was glad to see you. Known by all as a southern belle with lots of class. She loved life and appreciated all she had. A strong and fearless woman who never looked back. Only forward.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Marie, Eunice, Hazel, Kitty, and Tappy; and brothers, Bo and George. She is survived by her loving husband of 35 years, Howard Lewis; children, Georgianna (Michael) Batalucco, and Dinah (Wayne) Zenker; stepchildren, Michael Lewis, Keith (Antonella) Lewis, and Greg Lewis; grandchildren, Jeffrey Batalucco, and Kristin Batalucco; step grandchildren, Rebecca (Kevin) Hogan, Sarah Lewis, Jamie Lewis, Kyle Lewis, Patrick Lewis, Robert Lewis and Meagan Lewis; sister, Winnie Howell; and many loving nieces and nephews of the Herring family.

Irene enjoyed her new friends and activities at Porter Hills. She made friends so easily. Think of her when you walk by a stranger, smile and say hi, she was never afraid to give of herself to brighten someone’s day. The family wishes to thank, Delores White for all the loving care and companionship she has provided.

A Celebration of Life Service for Irene will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at Porter Hills Village Meeting Room; 3600 Fulton St. East, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.

Honoring her wishes, cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Duplin County Historical Society Foundation Inc., 314 E. Main Street, Rose Hill NC 28458. Which was founded by her uncle Dallas Herring.

To send a message of condolence to the family or sign Irene’s online guestbook, please visit; www.NeptuneSociety.com