My Beautiful Life

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye maybe also.   John 14:3

To all my loving family and friends that are gathered to celebrate me on today just know that I loved all of you and I know that you will not forget me. I will miss you all so dearly and I know that you were not ready for me to go, but on November 12, 2025, in Columbia, SC, God took my hand and led me away to my new home. Though my time was short, my life was full and blessed for all of my 24 years with you. It was full of purpose, laughter, love and joy from the people who meant everything to me. Just know that I am okay as I rejoice with loved ones who preceded me in death like my maternal grandmother Nancy Wilcox. I was also preceded by my paternal grandfather Harry Johnson who loved to feed me popsicles as a baby, great grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends.

 

I Amayia Iyawna Lewis was born on October 16, 2001 in Beaufort, SC to loving and devoted parents Michelle Hunt Bing and Christopher Lewis. They both shaped me into the woman I became, and I enjoyed them spoiling me. Even when I did something to upset them, they would fuss and I would smile because I knew that would be the end of the situation. My dad always had my back because I was a daddy’s girl. Mom, I know you will miss our daily conversations, our lying across the bed together as your brushed my hair, but just know that I am still listening.

 

I grew up in the Estill school system and was a 2020 graduate of Wade Hampton High School. This was the year covid messed us up from having a proper celebration, but my family gave me a cookout to show how proud they were.  I furthered my education with a degree in cosmetology from Kenneth Shuler in Greenville, SC and after moving to Columbia, I received a degree from Fortis College as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant. I was employed at Lexington Medical Center, and I worked part time braiding hair (which was my talent and my side hustle money because you know a girl had needs and I loved to go out with my friends). These two paths allowed me to care for others, express creativity,  making people feel good about themselves, and cutting jokes. If you knew, you knew. My life was made bright by the simple everyday moments. I could never resist getting in the kitchen making my Buffalo Chicken Dip, being around the barrel for oysters and marshmallows, having a girls night, hanging out with family, and treating mom out for manis and pedis.

I also leave behind my wonderful sisters: Tray’Niesha Hunt who made me an aunt by blessing me with my handsome nephew Kaden Vargas who I will miss spending time with and taking places. Monae Bing always had my back. Thank you to both of my big sisters for always covering up me with mom and dad and always making that Cass App came through whenever I asked for it.  Chrishonda Lewis, who was my Irish Twin who I loved to hang out with, travel, and even get into trouble with at times, and my baby sister Amaria “Avery” Lewis who I loved to spoil and do sleepovers with. To my baby brothers: Aaron Bing, keep your head up and continue to make me and mom proud and to Christoher Lewis Jr. my dear CJ I will miss talking to you and spending time with you also every chance I got even though daddy would let you and Avery tear up the house and I would have to clean up after you. To you all, just remember that I will always be watching over you.

My other family that I leave behind are my loving and caring paternal grandmother, Rose Lewis-Johnson who would let me do and have whatever I wanted. My loving aunt Tabitha (Marcus) Orr, who loved and looked out for all of us and she always said that I got my book smarts from her. My loving and protective uncles, Jeffrey (Karessia) Wilcox, and Maurice Hunt, I thank you for your love and support. My uncles, Jamie Lewis and Corey Lewis who were like fathers to me, thank you for your love, wisdom, protection, and money when I could get it from you (inside joke). My beautiful grand aunts, Rev. Eunice Bostick, who always prayed for me, Lillie (Sammy) Doss & Virginia Strong (they both always told me how beautiful I was), and my grand uncles, Henry (Brenda) Beckett, and Otis (Jerrylean) Santana.  To Avery, CJ, Skailar, Makenzie, Kaden, and Major: you were all my babies, and I enjoyed having our FaceTime group chats listening to you all talking about anything and everything. Just know that I love you and I will always be watching over you. Continue to make me proud by doing well in school and looking out for each other. And to my bestie Tyliyah Betties, who was like a sister to me since we were babies, as we were born a day apart. I love you forever, thanks for being a true friend and always having my back. Continue to celebrate our birthdays as if I was because in spirit, I will be right there beside you. To all my extended family and my adopted community of aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved and looked out for me I thank you.

Though I left this world, I hope my light stays bright with every person I touched. Remember me with a smile, a good meal, and a heart open to joy. Though my leaving is hard to understand, find peace and comfort in knowing that I am at rest in God’s hand.  

With all my love, Amayia