ROCKY MOUNT – Nancy Adkins Lewis, age 94, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 23, 2025. Born in Wilson County, NC on March 7, 1931, she was the daughter of the late John Silas and Nannie Walston Adkins. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Gene L. Lewis, Sr.; her brothers, John A. Adkins, and Robert D. Adkins and her sister, Virginia Anderson.
Nancy loved flower gardening. She loved to travel abroad to visit her family in Ireland. She also loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren immensely.
She also leaves behind a loving family; daughter, Teresa Jane Lewis Cairns from The Republic of Ireland and son, Gene L. Lewis, Jr. (Lee) and wife Margaret of Rocky Mount; her sister, Jane Wood of Wilson, NC; her brother, Charles Adkins of Wilmington, NC; and her sister-in-law, Nancy Akins of Creedmoor, NC; her grandchildren, Kristie Lewis Kennedy and husband Benjamin of Raleigh; Ryan Lewis and wife Molly of Charleston, SC, Neville Cairns and Jeremy Cairns from The Republic of Ireland; her great grandchildren, Asher, Abby, Katie and Joanna Kennedy of Raleigh, NC and many niece and nephews.
There will be a small family gathering to celebrate her life scheduled at a later date.
The family wishes to send a heartfelt thank you to Gentiva Hospice and especially the caregivers. They showed unwavering love and support.
Nancy was a member of First United Methodist Church, Rocky Mount, NC and the family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made in Nancy’s memory to the church at 100 South Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.







MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE ENTIRE LEWIS AND ADKINS FAMILIES AS THEY MOVE THROUGH THE EMOTIONAL TIME. HAVING KNOW GENE AND NANCY FOR ALMOST 50 YEARS AND THE LEWIS FAMILY AS THEY ENTERED THIS WORLD WAS AND IS A WONDERFUL THING. I AM GLAD GENE AND NANCY ARE IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE AND BOTH WITHOUT THE TRYING TIME THEY BOTH HAD TO PASS THROUGH. skip sprye