ForeverMissed
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On Saturday,  October 10,  2020 Esther Lewis, our beloved mother, friend, sister, aunt, grandmother, and great-grand mother transitioned back to God.  From God we come, and to Him is our ultimate return.

She is survived by two of her seven siblings: Gerald Weaver, and Ethel Riley.

Esther was also the loving and attentive mother of Vance Elliot Johnson, Candace Eugenia Johnson, Karleton Richard Nasheed, Jacqueline Johnson, and Joanna Nasheed.  Her first born, Ricky Johnson, transitioned back to The Creator at the tender age of 12 and has always been an integral part of our family’s love, loss, dynamics, and family circle.

Mom also leaves behind three grandchildren: Javonne Johnson, Erik Johnson, and Kayla Rose Nasheed, who loving referred to her as “GG” and “Gran” respectively. Parker Johnson should also be mentioned even though he is a puppy, but still very much considered one of her children.

Esther was also the great grand-grandmother of Kayden, Khloe, Liam, and Jada Johnson for whom she simply could not have shown more love.  They all adored her, and will undoubtedly miss her kind words, gentle ways, and sense of humor.

We extend a special thanks to Ralph and Heidi Lewis, Baron and Alice Lewis, Tabatha Delaney and Vernon Lewis – for whom mom’s love cannot be summed up in a few words.  Uncle Ralph and Aunt Helen also held their own place in mom’s heart.  Always have, always will.  Fran Collins also played an integral role to mom’s daily life; sharing time with her over a laugh, taking her to a doctor’s appointment, or just making sure she was current on her meals and meds.  Fran: thank you for all you did for mom.  We appreciate you, and we love you for it.

We are all blessed with a special gift in mom from God. Mom had unusual mix of interpersonal skills, and the ability of making each of us feel as if we each had our own, special, and exclusive place in her heart.  When speaking with her, she made you feel that you were the only person in the room.  Her Emotional Intelligence was off the charts.

Personal and Life Experiences:

Mom was a God-fearing woman, an avid reader of the Bible and other great works, a master teacher, a critical thinker, a wise counselor, a visionary in her own right, a peacemaker, a speaker of truth, a student of history, and someone who was strategic and thoughtful about life.  The details she left for us to follow is but a mere example of her discipline, organization, spirituality, and insight.

I can recount countless stories of her telling me how she and Aunt Ruthie (her eldest sister) would see Malcolm X preaching on the street, and one story where Dizzy Gillespie approached her for a date.  So, she was a real beauty and socially conscious from a very early age.

Wisdom was another strong suit of mom.  Having spoken with her almost daily, I would seek her advice on mundane as well as very complex matters.  At the conclusion of those discussions, I often found myself having to take notes and jot down what she told me as her insights were so profound.

Mothers are special on so many levels.  In addition to bringing us to life, they are our first nurse, our first teacher, our first playmate, our first counselor, confident, disciplinarian, and protecting friend.  And she fulfilled that role with distinction until her last day with us on this earth.

Our Mother, Esther Lewis, was truly a remarkable woman. And we will miss her forever.

Goodbye for now mom.  We miss you and look forward to seeing you again.  God Willing.

Natural Burial will take place in Steelmantown Cemetery, Steelmantown, NJ on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 12 Noon.

Fertig Funeral Home, LLC


October 10, 2023
October 10, 2023
Hi Esther

Another year has gone by . My health is not what it use to be,but I am doing the best I can. Can't wait for the ressurection to come . Miss you so very much.
Love always Ellie
October 13, 2022
October 13, 2022
Aunt Evie,
You missed by me. Our conversations were always a learning and fun opportunity. I happy you are at rest with the heavenly Father.             Pat Thompson- Shepard.
October 10, 2022
October 10, 2022
My Dear Sister Friend,
 So sorry for Ethel's transition but now she too is Sleeping in peace untill the resurrection. Missing you so much. Untill we meet again hope to see you soon at the resurrection. Ellie
October 10, 2022
October 10, 2022
With the Name of God, The Bénéficient, The Most Merciful

This is merely a written reflection of the gratitude associated with the wonderful memories of you, My Beloved mother and best friend.

I say “reflection” only because I think about you DAILY, and while many have told me that the pain of your transition would subside over time, it is still with me.

Your departure has had an impact on our family dynamic, and for me, has made the joyous moments just a bit less sweet, as you have not been here to share them with us.

I am taking this note merely to document your memory. As for me, you are very much alive in my heart and my psyche.

May Almighty God grant you peace, protection, forgiveness for any errors or mistakes (which we all have), and entrance into His Paradise.

Ameen!

Your Loving and Loyal Son,

Karl
April 28, 2022
Aunt Evie,
You will always be in my thoughts. You are missed, yet the memories of our conversations and e-mails are beautiful.  Will forever love you. Pat
April 28, 2022
April 28, 2022
My Beloved Mother,

I literally thought about you 10 minutes ago, almost reached for the phone to wish you a very Happy Birthday, then the reality of your physical absence set in. The only comforting thought was of all of the joy and laughter we shared, the promise that you are at rest and in peace, and the fact that this year, your birthday falls during Ramadan.

The pain of your absence is still acute, my mind is still a bit foggy, and it feels like you left us only moments ago.

I think about you every day, Mother. And, I don’t believe it’s possible for me to love you more than I always have and continue to to this very moment.

Your Loving Son - with Honor, Respect, Appreciation, and Pride in you.

Karl
April 28, 2022
April 28, 2022
Missing you . Our lives have changed so much since you have gone.Sleep in peace untill.the resurrection.

October 10, 2021
October 10, 2021
Hi Sister Friend ,
Just a little note to tell you that I'm missing you so much.
It has been very hard not to hear your voice.or to share our
Stories.I know you are just sleeping untlll the resurrection.I
SIP my sister friend love you.  Ellie
October 10, 2021
October 10, 2021
To My Darling Mother,

It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since you returned to God. Your transition feels like it happened just a few minutes ago. The pain is still deep, the wound fresh, the scar, un healed. You know, I had bi-lateral knee surgery in June. The physical pain of that experience pales in comparison to not being able to speak with you daily, to hear you laugh, and to drink from your wisdom.

Nothing is the same without you. We, your family, are not the same without you.

I remember reading somewhere (I cannot recall exactly where) that we cannot receive the rewards and Blessings for our belief and faith in God, for all of the good deeds we accumulated, and for the lives in which we made a positive impact, unless we return to God to receive them. So, I guess that my expression of sorrow is somewhat selfish. I should be rejoicing with the knowledge that you are in a far better place than those you left behind.

Where you are there is only joy. No sadness, no suffering, no pain, no anxiety, no conflict, no disappointment. For you are now among The Believers.

My Beloved, I cannot thank God enough for honoring me to be your son. If there’s ANY benefit to your absence it’s that it has drawn me closer to God Almighty.

A closing thought: I think of you and pray for you daily, and EVERY TIME I hear Phoebe Snow sing « Never Letting Go », I think of you.

Never Letting Go…

Ameen,

Yours Always,

Karl
October 10, 2021
October 10, 2021
Aunt Evie,
I thank God for getting to know you and I enjoyed our conversations until the end. My husband -your nephew, Dickie loved you dearly. I loved you too. I will always remember your support and conversations after he transitioned from this life. Thank you. Love-Pat
October 22, 2020
October 22, 2020
Esther
My dearest friend. I Miss our real talks already,your wisdom and truth
was
always what I needed .Until we meet again sister friend .Much love to your
Family. Ellie
October 21, 2020
October 21, 2020
To My Be-Loved Mother and Best Friend,

I know that you are on the next stage of the journey, but the part you left behind is unbearable without you. 

I thank Almighty God for blessing and honoring me to be your son. You have taught me every important lesson of life in great detail. I will do my best and work hard to pass those lessons on to your darling granddaughter, Kayla. And, to live my life by the high standards that you instilled in each of your children. Mostly to remain prayerful, and to be kind to everyone.

Please give Ricky a BIG HUG for me, and tell him that I love him.

You are my forever protecting friend, and angel.

Yours Forever,

Karl

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Recent Tributes
October 10, 2023
October 10, 2023
Hi Esther

Another year has gone by . My health is not what it use to be,but I am doing the best I can. Can't wait for the ressurection to come . Miss you so very much.
Love always Ellie
October 13, 2022
October 13, 2022
Aunt Evie,
You missed by me. Our conversations were always a learning and fun opportunity. I happy you are at rest with the heavenly Father.             Pat Thompson- Shepard.
October 10, 2022
October 10, 2022
My Dear Sister Friend,
 So sorry for Ethel's transition but now she too is Sleeping in peace untill the resurrection. Missing you so much. Untill we meet again hope to see you soon at the resurrection. Ellie
Recent stories
October 17, 2020
Aunt Evie, You embraced me as your niece when I married William Nathaniel Shepard(Dickie) and even before we were married.  Your sister Ruthie, Ethel and you showed such a beautiful bond when I met this family.   Mrs. Shepard (Ruthie), my Mother-in-Law,  told me many stories  of you and her "growing up".  They were funny , beautiful and just joyous.  The one that sticks out is Ruthie performing at Talent night at the Famed Apollo. Theater.  As the family knew, Ruthie had a beautiful voice and many wondered why she did not pursue that career.
The first night Ruthie performed you did not sit with your friends.  Aunt Evie per your sister, sat in a section where no one knew her "just in case her sister messed up".   When "Ruthie" sang and the audience applauded her loudly.   Good!!  When the "Winner" of night was Aunt Evie's Sister Ruthie.  The story is told Aunt Evie was screaming to the top of her voice" That 's my Sister" repeatedly..  As different as they were they were very close in age and shared socialization in their very early teenage years and a bond for the rest of their lives until Mrs. Shepard's death..  Lastly, Aunt Evie always came home on time and Ruthie did not. Aunt Evie was always trying to protect her sister from punishment. 
  Aunt Evie, Rest in peace, I will miss our talks and especially our e-mails.  I will always love you.  Thank you for your continued support when Shep (Dickie transitioned) Your prayers and comforting words helped so much.

Your Niece,
Pat

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