Ayana Mosunmola Samuels Abdul-Shaheed

Ayana Mosunmola Samuels Abdul -Shaheed passed away on Monday, April 24, 2023, at the age of 46. Ayana was born October 4, 1976, in Saginaw, Michigan to Danny Lee Samuels and Alma Jean Box Samuels.

Ayana committed her life to Christ at an early age. She was a member of New Fellowship COGIC under the leadership of Pastor Bobby E. Price. She was an honor student, played varsity basketball, softball, and ran track. Ayana had a beautiful voice and was part of the Saginaw High Soul Choir directed by Demona Reed.

Ayana relocated to Louisville, Kentucky, in 2004 where she furthered her education at Jefferson Community Technical College, obtaining her degree in Culinary Arts. Ayana was an employee of Jewish and Norton's Hospital. She also volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House and Goodwill Industries of Louisville, Kentucky.

Ayana loved her pets, Penny and Miley, and enjoyed watching action movies and college basketball. She was very loving to her family, friends, and community. She dreamed of opening a women's home (Women to Excel in Life).

Ayana leaves to cherish her memory her devoted mother, Alma Jean Box Samuels; one daughter Myzirria Abdul -Shaheed; one son, Ali Abdul -Shaheed; three grandchildren, Legacy Jones, Reign Jones and Aliyah Abdul-Shaheed; seven sisters, Tammie McNeal of Columbia Missouri, Khadijah (Frank) Groce, Najwa (Norman) Coleman of Louisville, Kentucky, Binta (Teddrick) Vaughans, Takiyah Abdul -Shaheed, Zakiya ( Michael )Davis, all of Saginaw, Michigan, and Nzingha Abdul -Shaheed of Grand Rapids, Michigan; three brothers, Dannie McNeal of Columbia, Missouri, Lashawn McNeal and Marcus Sotondji, both of Louisville, Kentucky; 68 nieces and nephews; 22 great-nieces and nephews; 29 first cousins; eight aunts, Wilma Box, Evelyn (Noble) Ramsey, Margaret Jones and Brenda Ashford of Saginaw, Michigan, Annette Kennedy Box of Columbia, South Carolina, Talphanita Bucannon, Frankie Smith, and Felice Hamilton of Belleville, Illinois; two uncles, Kenneth (Lisa) Samuels, Radcliff, Kentucky, and Raymond Box, Saginaw, Michigan; a host of family and friends including honorary aunt, Mary Lane; long time special friend, Kimberly Witherspoon; Kareem Yarn, Byron Holiday, Lovie Barnes, Nae Walker, Renae Mills and Homer Hodge.

Ayana was proceeded in death by her father, Danny Lee Samuels (Abdul-Shaheed); son, Baruni Abdul-Shaheed; grandparents, George Samuels, Eartha Jones, Hattie Sumrall, and Tommy Box; aunt, Lurine Brown; uncles, Charles Samuels, Randolph Dillard, Donald Patman, Lee Earl Box Sr. Cornell Jones and William Buddy Johnson; cousins, Lakeisha Box, Latoya Box, Earlynn Harris, Peter Marquardt, and Christina Patman.

The family would like to express special thanks to the University of Louisville Hospital and Ivan E. Phillips and the Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.