Jheri Lewis-4-29-2023

Jheri Marlena Lewis, 56, was called to Heaven on the evening of April 21, 2023.

She was born December 1, 1966 at 4:31 AM to Imogene Wright and Gerald Lewis in Long Branch, NJ.

She grew up on the West side of Red Bank and became the 2^nd of 5 children. She attended both St. James and Red Bank Middle Schools. On her walks to school, she frequented Freddies, Boano’s, and Freedman’s Bakery to satisfy her sweet tooth.  She loved to pick flowers, splash in puddles, adopt stray animals and help anyone who needed defending.

At Red Bank Regional High School, she discovered an interest in photography, cooking and indoor track. She was a social butterfly: loved music and dancing.  Jheri liked nice things. After high school, she met Rashon Johnson and moved to Asbury Park with him. After years together, she became the mother to 3 beautiful children: Prince Rakon, Precious Ranita, and Princess Rajera.

Jheri’s journey led her to live in New York where she had the opportunity to experience all the sights and sounds the city had to offer.  She adjusted to becoming a “New Yorker” with all its bells and whistles. She attended various churches there.

She visited Red Bank on the weekends and every holiday to spend with family.  She loved her mother’s and sisters’ cooking and baking!

In 2018, Jheri suffered a violent attack in New York that left her with 2^nd and 3^rd degree burns on the upper half of her body.  With her strong will and God’s Mercy, she miraculously survived. After her long rehabilitation, she came back to Red Bank to recover. It was here with her family and small circle of friends that she focused on healing in all its forms.  It took time but she grew stronger and was starting to resume things she enjoyed again with pride like cooking and baking.

Jheri spoke her mind, always had an opinion, did not mince her words, and definitely marched to the beat of her own drum. She never backed down from a fight.  But if she loved you, you had a friend for life. She loved fiercely and protected all those she cared about.

Jheri is predeceased by her maternal grandmother, Marlene Webb; paternal grandmother, Ionie Battles; and father, Gerald Lewis.

Left to forever cherish her memories are her children son, Prince; daughters, Precious and Princess Johnson, their brother Rashon and the children’s father, her life-long friend, Timothy Johnson; her sisters Kashfi Wright, Erika Wright, Juanita Lewis, and Denise Pitts Mackason (Kevin); a special sister-in-love Kelly Weedon; her brothers Dyron Wright and Claude Pitts. She had a special nickname for each of her nieces and nephews Bre’Asia “Beeda” Wright, Imani “Mooch” Wright, Elijah “PopPop”Jules and Keymar “Sug” Wright; as well as a host of adopted children, sisters and brothers, friends and family and “Mimi’s” fur babies: Disney, Belle, Dream and Odie will miss her too.

She will live on in the hearts of those who love her.  “Baby Doll”, “Lil Bit”, “Cupcake”, “Baby Girl”, “Lil One”, “Sissy”, “Survivor”, “Duchess” we will honor you by splashing in big puddles, chasing butterflies, looking for rainbows, loving each other and enjoying cupcakes until we see you later.