Nancy Lee Lewis

1934 - 2022

NANCY LEE LEWIS

July 13, 1934 - December 2, 2022

Nancy Lee Lewis was born in Bakersfield, California, on Friday, July 13, 1934, to James and Beatrice Barton, and she went home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 2, 2022, with family by her side.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilford Russel Lewis; infant sons David Russell Lewis and Russel Reagan Lewis; parents James and Beatrice Barton; brothers Samuel Lyman Barton and James William Barton; sister-in-law Beverly Jane Barton and brother-in-law William Bill Theo Gage.

She is survived by four daughters, Linda Susan and John Lagerstrom, Peggy Anne Helmstedter, Stacey Jean and Dr. August Accetta and Mary Kathleen and Randy Kinsey; grandchildren, Jaime Armistead, Julie and husband Paul Billington, Jeanie and husband James Meridith, Russell Helmstedter, Matthew Helmstedter and wife Alina, Joni and husband Joseph McCuan, Christine Accetta, Annie Jo and husband Lemuel Canet, Abigail and husband Edgar Garcia, Colton Holmes and wife Cameron, Megan Accetta, and Mason Holmes; step-granddaughter Amber Kinsey; 21 great-grandchildren, Justin and wife Brianna, Jenna, Jolee, Jance, Jesse and Jintry Billington; Addison, Magdaline and Elizabeth Armistead; Gunnar, Claire and Grace Meridith, Kadin and Beckam Helmstedter; Jane and John McCuan; Charlie and Thomas Canet, William Hunter; Laiyn and Jolene Holmes; 2 step great-grandchildren Autumn Garcia and Samuel Vonkanel; sister, Mary Ann Gage, sister Lynn and husband Marvin Cragin, brother-in-law Clifford Dykman, sisters-in-law Alice Pitts, Mary Missie Good and Deana Kay Vermillion, cousins Joe Evans, Carl Evans, Mike Gerkman and Jack Curtis, and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Nancy was born in Bakersfield, spent some of her childhood years in Delano, and moved back to Bakersfield, where she attended Washington Jr. High and graduated from Bakersfield High School in 1952. Nancy worked as a car hop at the Q-ne-Q Drive-In on Chester Avenue after graduating, where she met her future husband. After marrying in 1953, they made their home in East Bakersfield. After their first daughter was born, Nancy began taking her to church with the Luttrell families, and Nancy accepted the Lord and was baptized on December 23, 1956, at Eastside Christian Church. Nancy stayed home raising her daughters, and helped her husband with his business, Lewis Auto Parts until he retired in 1981. Nancy then went to work in the Fairfax Elementary School cafeteria until retiring in 1995. Like her heart, her kitchen was full of love. A gathering place for family and friends to fellowship together while enjoying her delicious home-cooked meals like biscuits and gravy, chicken fried steak, fried tators, or a simple slice of toast with her homemade jelly. Nancy loved serving the Lord in various ways, from teaching children Sunday School classes each week, cooking in the church camp kitchen, counting money in church, and so much more.

In her later years, Nancy suffered from a mild stroke and then breast cancer. Nancy faced her health issues with grace and strength with the help of her doctors, Dr. Sarkies, Dr. Hoehne, and Dr. Ghai. In 2018, Nancy, along with 2 daughters and 3 granddaughters, was proud to join the Bakersfield Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Over the years, Nancy's greatest joys were her love for Jesus, her husband, her family, having her grandchildren close, her service to others, her love of Country, and going to the mountains and the beach. Nancy was a prayer warrior for her family and friends, each by name.

The family wish to thank Cassandra Ortiz from Infinity Care Solutions, Inc. for helping us manage her care and being gracious and loving over the last 5 years. In addition, the family wish to thank Kelly Napier, LVN, for the gentle and attentive care for the past 3 years.

Pallbearers will be Paul Billington, James Meridith, Russell Helmstedter, Matthew Helmstedter, Joseph McCuan, Lemuel Canet, Colton Holmes and Justin Billington. Honorary Pallbearers will be John Lagerstrom and Dr. August Accetta.

Visitation for Nancy Lee Lewis will be held at Basham Funeral Care (3312 Niles Street, Bakersfield, CA 93306) on December 19, 2022, from 5:00pm-7:00pm and funeral service will be held at Valley Baptist Church (4800 Fruitvale Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93308) on December 20, 2022 at 10:30am. Pastor Phil Neighbors will officiate, and interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park at 12:30pm with a Reception following at Valley Baptist Church at 2:00pm.

For additional service information or floral delivery, please contact Basham Funeral Care 661-873-8200. Basham Funeral Care Legacy.com

Donations may be made to Summer Camp Scholarships, Valley Baptist Church, 4800 Fruitvale Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93308.

www.bakersfield.com/obits