Nadine Gloria (Strachan) Lewis

Nadine Gloria (Strachan) Lewis was born on the 4th of July in the year of our Lord 1954.  She was born in New York City, N.Y. to the late C. Haven and Irmath “Mattie” Wilkerson-Strachan of Nassau, Bahamas.  She was the baby of ten children, mother of two, grandmother of 10, and great-grandmother of four.

A true matriarch and leader of her family, she believed in doing what was necessary to ensure everyone’s survival.  One of her key phrases was, “What one does affects the rest.”  Nadine was a practicing Christian and would give anyone the clothes off her back and the shoes off her feet.  She believed in helping others, and for her… random acts of kindness can help others to see the Jesus dwelling within a person.

Nadine hated to see things go to waste.  One of her signature dishes… End of the Month Soup, ensured her family wasted very little while feeding most of the children in the neighborhood.  Although she did not have much, she always, always shared what she had.

“The Lord always had a ram in the bush,” she would bellow.  It was another life lesson and Bible teaching she emphasized about having faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Nadine was a “Grand-MaMa!” who stressed the importance of leaning not on thine own understanding, thus, allowing God to show up and show out.  She was a Prayer Warrior, a Black Panther, and always has a knack for being in the middle of something.  She would tell doctors, family, and friends alike, “I’m 95% good,” which meant the last 5% would be used whenever and however she saw fit.

Nai (Nay), as she was as lovingly called, wasn’t the biggest or boldest person in the room, but she believed in being present and living in the moment.  As the neighborhood Candy Lady, she helped various community members on a personal level, even if it meant sharing a dinner, babysitting, or lending a listening ear.

If she could help, she would through her kindness and understanding, she helped turn all the communities she lived in into close-knit communal families. “It takes a village,” she’d say.

Nadine (or Mama Lou) was a remarkable spirit, and a multi-faceted African American woman wo would use her talented hands to teach.  She taught those in her trusted circle how to prepare delicious homecooked meals, sew, crochet, and start a business with zero means.

Nadine accomplished those things while simultaneously embodying strength… thus, teaching her family humility and resiliency.  She worked with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren on their cursive and manuscript handwriting, helping them with their homework, and even practicing the keyboard or piano with them.  She lived for memory-making moments with her family.

As the matriarch, she taught her family to be God-fearing, humble, and savvy.  But most importantly… do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  Nothing gave her greater joy than watching and playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She enjoyed watching them grow together while standing up for each other, solidifying family bonds.

Nadine relished family gatherings and reading her Holy Bible during her leisure time. She embodied the meaning of family.  Noting on many occasions that family is the key to life.  She was loved by everyone who took the time to know her.

Preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Kenneth, Eric, and Paula Strachan, Barbara Toote; grandnephew, Althorne Toote Sr.

Left to relish in memories of Nadine and continue her legacy, her children, Joycelyn Michelle Walker (Max), Raleigh Lee Roberson, Katanesha Nichole Pearson, Rebecca Smith; siblings, Kermit Bowe, Seron Adams, Ruth Edgecombe (Eddie), Andrea McDonald-Straw (Bernard), Marie Sealy; grandchildren, Ashleigh Nichole Gassaway (Jerron), Mazon Walker, Isaiah Lee Roberson, Haleigh Nichole Roberson, Raleigh Lee Roberson “RJ”, Aiden Clark-Roberson, Aria Clark-Roberson, Sir-Raleigh Lee Roberson, Matthias Lee Roberson; adopted-grandchildren, Mikal Benjamin Toliver, Jalen LeBron Moore, Jayon Levonne Moore; great-grandchildren, Anyah Nichole Gassaway, Zarriah Nichole, Jeremiah Rashaad Gassaway, Jerron Sterling Rashaad Gassaway; in addition to a host of nieces, nephews, grandnephews, grandnieces, friends , and extended family.

Memorial service 12 pm Saturday, May 13, 2023, at House of Wheat Funeral Home, 2107 N. Gettysburg Avenue, Dayton, Ohio. Calling hour 11 am- 12 pm at which time family will receive friends. (Mask Required).

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