Freida Mae (Lewis) Brown affectionately known as “Bootsie” was born on January 28, 1933 in Iron Hill, DE to the late Edith B and Ernest E Lewis Sr. Bootsie transitioned peacefully on April 21, 2025, surrounded by loving family in Christiana Hospital, Newark, DE.
Bootsie received her early education at Iron Hill School in Iron Hill, DE. She then went on to Louis L. Redding in Middletown, DE. She transferred to Howard High School in Wilmington, DE to complete her education.
During her employment she worked for Brandywine Services for over 30 years. Then worked at AstraZeneca where she retired after 20 years.
She had a strong faith in God and a deep love for family, church, and gospel music. It was the music that brought her peace and joy. Bootsie loved sharing her childhood stories about living on the farm with her Grandparents Arbell and Isaac Miller (Mom and Pop). Bootsie got her nickname from Pop. The story goes like this, she was playing with Pop’s boots, and a bee went in the boot with her and she couldn’t get out fast enough, so they made up a song about her in the boot and that’s how she got her nickname.
Bootsie attended Shiloh Baptist in Wilmington, DE, when she was able; she was the eldest of nine siblings. Bootsie was preceded in death by her parents Edith B. and Ernest E. Lewis Sr. her husbands, Robert Lee and Noble Brown, her only son John E. Lewis Sr, 1 brother Clifford R. Lewis, step granddaughter Tamara Gooden, and great grandson Michael Mills.
Freida leaves her memories to be cherished by three brothers, Ernest E. Lewis Jr., Don W. Lewis Sr., and Richard W. Lewis Sr. (Annabelle), four sisters, Rosetta Waller, Roma Lewis, Sandra Johnson and Marvia Waller (Warren), stepdaughter Lorene Stanford (George). Grandchildren; Desiree Gasby, LaTonya Ashley, Sonya "Nikki" Lewis, John Lewis Jr., LaRon Carter, Ebony Scruggs (Donald), Karin Williams, and Johnna Emory (Tyrone), and a host of great and, great-great grand nieces, nephews, cousins, friends Iris and Jesse, and a special companion to her deceased son John Lewis Sr. Dianne Gooden.
We will truly miss her; we find comfort in knowing that she was a gift from God. Her love, laughter and light will continue to live on, in all of us, and that only comes from a life well lived. We, the family, would like to thank Yvette and Rodney Harley, Christiana Care, and Help at Home care for all their help, love and care.
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