Biography

Mrs. Wilhelmena Priest is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of C.U.W. Remembering Lewis. She is the mother of the honoree, Lewis Xavier Priest. Co-founders are Wilhelmena’s husband, Lewis Vance Priest and daughter, Jasmine E. Smith. They are working hard to ensure that families caring for sick children do not have to worry about financial lack.

In keeping with her brother’s memory, Jasmine decided to become a pediatrician. She completed a three-year residency at Diamon Children’s Medical Center in Tucson, AZ and a three-year fellowship at St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN. She is currently employed with the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and in a position to help find a cure for children’s cancers.

Lewis was diagnosed in 2010 with osteosarcoma at the early age of fourteen. He underwent grueling chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy treatments, and countless surgeries. Most of the treatment process was an uphill battle, from receiving negative reports to dealing with degrading and sometimes unmanageable side effects. The most amazing part of the whole daunting experience was caring for Lewis and watching how he handled all of the trauma. Lewis was the patient but was always the shining star with a smiling face and positive attitude. He was truly the anchor that kept the family together. Lewis’ spirit was never shaken. He may have been startled at times, but he never allowed his mother or other members of the family to see his weak side. He always reassured his family that everything would be all right because it is in God’s hands. Lewis received his angel wings and checked into Heaven on December 11, 2016. Lewis received his healing in Heaven instead of here on Earth despite how badly we would have preferred the latter. The family accepted this blessing and now want to support other families still going through this nightmare.

Our motto: “Financial concerns should never be a family’s concern when caring for a sick child and it should not define the quality of care the child receives.”