Marie V. Lewis was born on May 16th, 1926 to Mrs. Lillian and Arthur Lewis at Harlem Hospital in NYC. She was their only child. Marie later developed a debilitating handicap called Polio that led to partial blindness. Even so, Marie did not let that stop her willpower and accomplishments in serving the Lord. Marie graduated from Wadliegh High School in 1944. She was raised in a Christian home and had a grandmother who served as a minister. Keeping with the religious traditions of her upbringing, Marie later became an active member and worked as a Receptionist at St. Charles Church. Singing was a great passion for Marie. She attended singing classes so she could join the St. Charles Church Gospel Lights choir. She also lent her voice to The United Negro College Fund Choir (U.N.C.F.), where she was afforded the opportunity to visit many places within New York and around the US. Her greatest moment with U.N.C.F was singing at Carnegie Hall with Sissy and Whitney Houston in the early days of their careers. Marie was strong. She walked up 4 flights of stairs at her home each day until she was 86 years old. This was only a small testament to her strength. Stubborn, stern, no nonsense and independent is how you would describe Marie. It was literally "my way or the highway" as far as she was concerned. She had an uncanny sense of humor and a deep devotion and love of what God gave her the ability to accomplish. She showed her appreciation with constant prayer and singing gospel music. Not having any close family, she became close to church and choir members. It is said that "The friends you choose become the family you don't have." Ms. Evelyn, Ms. Queenie and Ms. Iva, have all become surrogate Aunts to her son James. Marie is survived by: her son, James A. Lewis and his wife Glenna Marie Lewis; daughter, Germaine Lewis-Wright and her husband Nicholas Wright; grandchildren, Simone, Shana, Syrena, Nichell, Nicole, Serena, Catina, Felicia, Tony, Van, Anthony and Germaine; and 13 great-grandchildren. Acknowledgment: Marie's son, George Lewis, twin to daughter Germaine, departed this life in 1999.