Life Story

1923 On September 9th, a baby girl Queen Elizabeth was born to the late Matthew and Mary Medley. She was the eighth of eleven children; all of her siblings preceded her in death.

1929 This baby girl, Queen received Christ at an early age at the Greater Brandon Chapel Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Reverend Roland Mason. At Greater Brandon Chapel she served as a Sunday School Teacher, Church Clerk and Missionary.

1930-1943 Queen attended the Brandon Chapel Elementary School and graduated from the Halifax County Training High School.

1944-1948 After high school she attended the Virginia Theological Seminary College and later transferred and graduated from Virginia Union University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education.

1950 Queen left Virginia to live with her brother Reverend Charles Medley and his wife Margertha Medley along with their children Charles, Jr., Lawrence, Preston, Douglas, and Adele in Philadelphia. She joined the 90th Street Mount Herman Baptist Church under the pastorate of her brother, Reverend Thomas St. Clair Medley.

1954 Queen decided again to go back to school where she earned a Diploma in nursing from the Philadelphia School of Practical Nursing.

1955 Queen Elizabeth Medley was wedded in Holy Matrimony to the late Ernest Steven Lewis at the 90th Street Mount Herman Baptist Church.

1957 Ernest and Queen Lewis were blessed with three bundles of joy. The first, a baby girl named Deborah Paulette Lewis.

1958 Queen was employed by the School District of Philadelphia as a substitute teacher.

1960 Ernest and Queen Lewis were blessed with their second bundle of joy, a baby boy named Larry Steven Lewis.

1963 Queen still furthering her education, in May received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Cheyney State University. Also in this year, in December Ernest and Queen welcomed their third bundle of joy, another baby girl named Jacqueline Renee Lewis.

1964 Queen became a full time appointed teacher in the Philadelphia Public School System. She was also a Philadelphia Federal of Teachers Union Representative.

1970 After the death of her brother, Rev. Thomas St. Clair Medley, Ernest, Queen and their children joined the Christlike Pleasant Green Faith Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend Robert Small. Queen was very active at Christlike for many years. She was a Sunday School Teacher and held offices as a Trustee Aide, served in the Missionary Circle, the Good Shepherd Club and the Love Club. She was a supervisor of the Junior Ushers and the Usher Buds. Queen was a Financial Secretary of the #1 Account.
1980 Queen received another Degree in Education. This time a Master of Science Degree from the Marywood College in Scanton, PA. Also, this year was an extra special one for Ernest and Queen. They celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary.

1982 Queen and her children suffered a great loss. Her husband Ernest and Deborah, Larry and Jacqueline’s father passed away after a long battle with lung cancer.

1983 Queen and her children’s faith never wavered. They continued to trust in the Lord. In September, a surprise birthday luncheon was celebrated in her honor. Joining her at The Shack were 250 guests.

1984 Queen attended the Democratic National Convention as a Pennsylvania delegate.

1985 Queen’s first grandchild Christian Steven Lewis was born.

1986 Queen retired from the School District of Philadelphia. She was a beloved and dedicated teacher for 28-years. Queen’s family honored her with a surprise retirement luncheon at The Chateau.

1991 Queen’s second grandchild and first granddaughter Kirsten Courtney Lewis was born.

1995 Queen’s third and final grandchild Shane Steven Lewis was born.

1996 Queen traveled with her family to Atlanta and attended the Summer Olympics.

2003 Queen attended Christian’s graduation from LaSalle College High School.

2007 Queen attended Christian’s graduation from LaSalle University.

2009 Queen attended Kirsten’s graduation from Gwynedd Mercy Academy.

2014 Queen attended Shane’s graduation from LaSalle College High School.

2015 Queen attended Kirsten’s graduation from Temple University.

2017 Queen’s grandson Shane is currently a senior at West Chester University.

2017 Queen was blessed with longevity but on Thursday, August 24,2017, at 1:30 p.m., our beloved mother, Queen Elizabeth Medley Lewis took her last breath and transitioned from earth peacefully.








Mom’s Nurses
We would like to thank all our mother’s full-time, part-time and occasional nurses for caring for her during her many years of sickness.
Our mom’s first full-time nurse was the late Aunt Marie Medley-White who started it all until she was no longer able to care for our mom. The late Wendy Gainey, the mother of several of Debbie’s students at the Whittier Elementary School cared for our mother after Debbie had a stroke in 2011. Aunt Marie cared for up until her untimely death in September 2015. Christlike Pleasant Green Faith Baptist church member Sis. Ruth Kellam began caring for our mother in 2013. In 2015 we met Sharika Blakely our mom’s final nurse. She was their when our mother took her last breath.
Our mother also had part-time nurses that included Shatimah who began in 2012, Annette and Tiffany Jackson who began in 2016 and Kim Lyons.
During our mother’s radiation treatments, her great-nephew Darrell Bailey served as driver and Alfreda Patterson-Payne as nurse.
Thanks to all of our occasional nurses that stepped in so that Jackie could enjoy some vacation time away. Adele (god daughter), Dominique (great-niece), Charlie (great-great niece) all decedents of Rev. Charles Medley. We would also like to thank Sis. Pauline Belton a member of the Christlike Pleasant Green Faith Baptist church.
Special thanks to all of the staff at the Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Philadelphia.

Mom’s God Daughters
In addition to her children, our mother’s god children were Joyce Robinson (daughter of Rev. Thomas St. Clair Medley), Adele Medley (daughter of Rev. Charles Medley), the late Janice Barefield-Brown (Hunting Park Avenue neighbor and former), the late Valicia Minnett Butler-Jones (Christlike Family).

Mom’s First Cousins
During mommy’s illness, she stayed in touch with her remaining three cousins, Elizabeth Stephens of South Boston Virginia, Lovernia Malone, Danville Virginia, Portia Johnson of Philadelphia. She enjoyed chatting with Elizabeth homecoming Sunday’s at the Greater Brandon Chapel Church and singing along with Lovernia and Portia during their frequent telephone calls.

Mom’s Doctors
Thanks to Dr. Boden and Dr. Martin who cared for our mother for over twenty years. We would also like to thank Dr. Micaily and Dr. Padmanabhan and the entire Oncology staff at Temple University Hospital.



Journey to Heaven

I’m going on a journey No need for food or shelter
To a place I long to go Everything I need is there
A land that’s filled with angels My home that lies in heaven
Where the peaceful valleys flow. Is a joy beyond compare.

I have no need for luggage I am ready for my venture
So I plan to travel light Got the voucher in my hand
A first-class trip to heaven I’m bound for Zion glory
It’s a non-returning flight. In that far-off distant land.

There won’t be tears of sadness I am headed for that City
Sweet blessings I will reap My flight was paid for me
A torch will burn eternal To a land of peace and beauty
And the soul doth never sleep. Just beyond the crystal sea.

I do not need an auto I soon will have my ticket
There is no bus or train There is no need to pack
My journey is predestined On a one-way trip to heaven
And I won’t be back again. And I won’t be coming back.

Author: Marilyn Ferguson

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