Lewis, Audrey Mae's Obituary
Audrey Mae "Aurea" Lewis was born December 1st, 1944 to Richard and JoAnn Anderson in Oakland, CA. She was the third of eleven children in the Anderson family. Although born in Oakland, CA, she was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana until the age of seven with her brothers Richard Anderson, Clarence Anderson, and Dorothy Mae (Anderson) Armstrong. Audrey Mae attended Prescott Elementary, Lowell Junior High, and McClymonds High, Class of 1962. She excelled academically and was Head Cheerleader in her Senior year. She attended both Laney and Chabot Community colleges. At age twenty-two, she married Wendell Edward Wilkins of Springfield, Illinois (now deceased). From this union, they had two children, Michael and Janeen. After marriage and her children, she began her career at the Pacific Bell and Telephone Company as a telephone operator. She continued her career at Highland Hospital in Oakland California as a Medical Billing Specialist. She joined United States Navy and retired after serving in the Naval Reserves for many years. Audrey Mae's union with Wendell Wilkins ended after several years. She met and married Ronald Lewis of Vallejo, CA (now deceased). She became a widow with no children from this union. Being a Preacher's Kid (PK), Audrey has always maintained a strong belief and faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. She became a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church under her father, Rev. Richard Anderson. She studied several years in this denomination and was ordained a Local Deacon at the Greater Cooper AME Zion Church in Oakland, CA. After serving there for four years, she was ordained an Elder and was given the position of Pastor of Varick Center AME Zion Church by Bishop Clarence Carr. She was also an Evangelist in both the Bay Cities and Central Valley Districts of the Western Episcopal District of the AME Zion Church. In the city of Oakland, CA, she served as a Chaplain for the Oakland Police Department. She was given the most challenging assignments in service of Oakland neediest victims. Her last spiritual association was with the non- denominational Urojas Ministry Church in Oakland as a Minister running and maintaining several Food Banks for impoverished families in the Bay Area. As a Commissioner on the Board of the African American Museum and Library at Oakland, she served faithfully for many years until her illness. She performed so well in these positions that she received many accolades from city officials. Audrey Mae is preceded in death by her father, Rev. Richard Anderson, mother, Joann Anderson; brothers, Richard "Pool" Anderson, Clarence Edward Anderson, Edwarn Anderson, and Bobby Joe Anderson; and sister, Dorothy Mae (Anderson) Armstrong. She is survived by her sisters, Anntwanette (Anderson) Ferrell, Dr. Sheila Marie (Anderson) Quintana, Robin Reshell (Anderson) Harvey; brothers, Don Jose Anderson and Ray Evans Anderson; her children, Michael Edward Wilkins and Janeen Marie (Wilkins) VanRassan; her grandchildren, Kyle Kakea Tevin Edward Wilkins, Kaela Marie Malie Wilkins, Mya Aurea Denicia Miller, Hubert Anthony "Tony" VanRassan II, CPL Kindacy Marie "Dacy" (VanRassan) Fears; her great-grandchildren, Khailian Kruz Brodie and Riley Maet Skinner. She has also been survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great- nieces and great-nephews.
What’s your fondest memory of Audrey?
What’s a lesson you learned from Audrey?
Share a story where Audrey's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Audrey you’ll never forget.
How did Audrey make you smile?