Tondalaya Henry (Lansing)

Ms. Tondalaya “Nicki” Henry passed away Saturday, September 14, 2019 at her residence in Lansing, Michigan. Age 31 years. She was born November 25, 1987 in Lansing, Michigan, the daughter of Leah Henry and the late Yahya Mateen.

Tondalaya was a lifelong resident of Lansing, Michigan. She went to J. W. Sexton High School and attended Mount Hope Church. Nicki, as she was affectionately called, truly loved being with her family and cherished every moment with her daughter. She was a young, fierce recording artist who took comfort in doing music with her brother. Nicki always had genuine encouraging words for everybody she came in contact with. Nicki was a protector who made you feel safe. She feared nothing but God. She was ready to go see her father. Nicki said, “It’s been lonely and she was ready to go Home.” Now she is at peace and in both of her fathers’ arms.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory her daughter, Tamarionna “Tam Tam” Henry; mother, Leah Henry; grandparents, Francine Henry, Halima Mateen and Sufyaan Mateen; 8 sisters, Tera Henry, Paige Henry, Stephanie Brown, Samantha Mateen, Jade Bryant, Jaime Bryant, and Diamond Henry; 1 brother, Christopher Henry; 11 nieces, 14 nephews, 2 aunts, Tondalaya Henry and Iris Henry; 2 uncles, Kevin Henry and Ronald Bryant; 11 first cousins, Jimmy, Nyeesha, Jasmine, Narrion, Kevin, Jr., Pierre, Chontell, Jamilah, Cornelius, LaSean, Jaron and her closest cousin, Desirae Henry; brother-in-law, Prince Chilaka; many other cousins, relatives and friends including special friends, Bessie Fields, Matthew Lilly, Martell Nelson and Travera Reed.

She was preceded in death by her father, Yahya Mateen.