Eva Serena Carthan

Eva Serena Carthan of Willingboro, New Jersey departed this life on August 2, 2020.

She was born in Princeton, NJ on July 25, 1934 and was one of five children of William Henry and Ethel Estelle Lewis; brothers George E. “Eddie”, Clarence D. “Tobe”, and Roscoe J. “Joe” Lewis; a sister Wilma A. Pannell. She also had two other brothers, William “Sabby”, A popular musician and the first black DJ in Boston and Walter Lewis.

Eva was educated in the Princeton Public School System first at the Witherspoon Street School For the Colored and at Princeton High School, graduating in 1952. While there, she was active in sports, earning varsity letters in field hockey. She continued her education at Wilberforce University in Ohio, The first private historically black college in America.

After moving to Burlington, New Jersey with daughter Monica, she worked at a factory making ammunition for the war effort and later Eva worked at the Ford Motor Company for many years until retirement. While living in Burlington she met and  married the love of her life, William “Bill” Carthan. Eventually they settled in Willingboro, New Jersey.

Eva was a free spirit who loved to travel and entertain her family and friends. She had a keen eye for fashion and a love for jewelry. She was an avid reader and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles. She could often be found at casinos with husband Bill and her siblings. Eva also loved Philadelphia sports teams, specifically the Eagles and Sixers.

She was preceded in death by her parents William and Ethel Lewis; her brothers Eddie, Tobe, Joe, Sabby and Walter Lewis; her sister Sis. Pannell.

Eva’s memory will be cherished and forever remembered by her husband Bill; her daughter Monica Key; her grandchildren Tiffany and Shannon Blackmon; great grandchildren Semaj Strong and Brooklyn Spruill; two nieces Cheryl Calhoun and Rheny Merrill; seven nephews George “Shag”, Mark D., Chris and Craig Lewis, Edward “Bullet” Beagles, Dean and Clyde Pannell; a special friend Edna Branch; a host of great nieces, great nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Eva will always be remembered for her kindness and wit. She is surely looking down on us, her family with all her love.

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