Derinda Rebecca Lewis

A Memorial Service for Derinda Rebecca Lewis, who died in Boca Raton, FL, on June 23, 2014, will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 420 West Walker Avenue, Asheboro, NC, on Saturday, July 26, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. The family will greet friends immediately following the service. Derinda was born November 17, 1965, graduated from Asheboro High School, Class of 1984, and completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Communication Disorders/Speech Pathology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNC-G) in 1990. She practiced clinically in acute medical, acute rehabilitative, skilled nursing, and home care environments in North Carolina and Florida. Among her areas of special interest were: adult and pediatric dysphagia management, oral motor/feeding disorder therapy, neurogenic disorders, neonatal ICU intervention, and device-specific management of tracheostomized and ventilator dependent patients. Since 1992, she had been a Clinical Consultant for Passy-Muir, Inc., Irvine, CA, providing consultation and educational seminars for medical and allied health professionals involved in the care of tracheostomized and ventilator dependent children and adults. She was a member of the American Speech Language Hearing Association and was a 5-time recipient of ASHA's Award for Continuing Education. In Florida, she presented lectures for area allied health undergraduate/graduate programs. During her years in Boca Raton, she enjoyed volunteer activities in the Junior League of Boca Raton and in her sorority group. She was a member of Del Ray First Presbyterian Church, where funeral services were held on July 2, 2014. A consummate professional, Derinda was dedicated to providing the highest level of care for each patient she served. She continued that focus and dedication throughout her own four-year fight against Multiple Myeloma. Derinda is survived by her parents, Ray and La Vaughn Lewis of Asheboro, NC; brother, Bart (Allison), Burlington, NC, a niece and nephew; sister, Pamela (Henry Clay), of NYC, and a host of other family members and friends who loved her. Her family expresses special appreciation for her many dedicated friends in Boca Raton, as well those from North Carolina, whose devotion enriched her life. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Asheboro, or to the church or charity of the donor's choice. Pugh Funeral Home, Asheboro is assisting the family.