Ramah Kirkland

On December 4, 1942 in Springfield, Illinois Cleora Holt Green gave birth to Ramah Lue Green. Ramah was the 8th of nine living children born to Cleora. Cleora was an admired and sought after beautician in the Springfield area. Ramah's Father, John Roy Green aka “Happy Green” was known as a local and popular doowop scene musician with his own band and constant gigs.

Ramah moved from the Midwest to Los Angeles, California with her younger sister Sonja as teens. Ramah went on to graduate from Los Angeles high School; not long after, she met and eventually married my father, Robert Husko Kirkland (aka Robert Bilal Shabazz) in 1964. On her journey into full adulthood, she worked as an operator for the telephone company, moving on to being a candy striper at a local hospital that evolved into what today's culture refers to as a CNA and notably she worked as a bail bond specialist for several years. My mother realized that she really enjoyed and had real ‘chops’ for secretarial/coordinator work, so she went to Trade Tech College in Los Angeles to hone in on those in-demand skills; that training helped her get hired on at the State of California. She picked up and expanded her skills as she took on additional jobs on weekends and evenings. She was a walking encyclopedia of state employment/HR laws, policies and rules.

After almost two decades of being a diligent state employee, mom chose to work only part time for the State because she wanted to get involved with something she had more control over. Her niece had a transcription service in Los Angeles, where Ramah’s beloved clerical/secretarial/organizational skills could be put to use every day. The medical transcription business her niece Cristal and friend Ora started was in need of the experience and take-charge attitude that mom (they called her T-T) could provide. After a few months of learning and helping to develop the business, suddenly she was hiring, training and running the Personnel department and all things procedural. After 18 years of working for California, my mother retired early from the State, and went to work full time with Rapid Transcript; that was a major accomplishment for her because she was able to set her own hours, purchase her first home, and gain real independence in her life.

My mother was very adaptable and resourceful to her surroundings and circumstances. She would do what was necessary as long as it was legal and not harmful to her or me. She ensured that I, her only biological child, was taken care of. I remember my mother would work three jobs at one time when it was necessary to make ends meet and to provide for us. In 1993 she moved to her favorite city, Las Vegas, and that was where she purchased her first home. With advances in technology and the computer, she could work from home long before that was in style. She traveled between Las Vegas and Los Angeles at will and she loved to stay for a few days before going back home.

After several years of living in Las Vegas, mom and my aunt Sonja started making jewelry in their spare time, something they had actually started as a hobby many years before when I was a child. They created beautiful pieces that we wore proudly. I was even able to sell a lot of their pieces at my job. Every piece they made was unique, and their artistic style transcended what they even thought they could do, and they discovered they each had their own creative styles. Aunt Sonja was dainty and sweet, while mom was bold and edgy!

Mom blessed this earth in various ways for 83-years, 5 months, 2 weeks, 7 days, 8 hours, 31 min and 23 seconds; and everyone she touched will remember her spirit.

Mom, I was not the easiest child to raise, but no matter what, you loved me unconditionally, consistently…endlessly. You were a single parent making it happen by any means necessary. Even when you were paid only once a month while working for California, you always made a way to make sure I had what I needed. No matter what, you were always available to those you loved. Willing to help out in any way you could, even if you had to sacrifice your own wants and needs. All you desired was to be seen, heard, acknowledged and respected for who YOU were. Mom, you were an observer. You saw the possibilities in everyone you met and were always encouraging us to do better, be bolder, and to never take *bleep* from anybody.

R-Resilient

A-Admirable

M-Merciful

A-Accepting

H-Humble

These words describe you Mama. I am extremely grateful for the 60-years you were my mother in this life. I love you for loving me so completely.

You were my guardian angel here on Earth and you are still my angel in spirit. I know for a fact you will always be with me.

You cared and helped me in so many ways, way beyond my becoming an adult of legal age.

You are amongst the Angels now but one thing I am sure of, your spirit will always be there helping and guiding us from where you are as you have always done.

I'm sure you are having a lot of conversations right now. With your siblings, your momma, your father and host of other family members and friends who preceded you…keep on whooping butt as you all play Bid Whist for fun.

Thank you God, for allowing my soul to have been borne from the beautiful, bright light that was known as Ramah.

Mom leaves behind in this realm:

Daughter, Michelle Denise Kirkland-Adams; Grandchildren, Russell Armaan Adams, Maya Iman Adams, Malik Ahmad Adams; Great-grandchild, Nylan Christopher Berry; Son-in-law,

Russell Clay Adams; Bonus Grandson, Christopher Jamal Berry; Sister-in-law, Patricia Green; and multiple other family members in assorted cities in multiple states.

Unfortunately mom did not get a chance to meet all of her second and third generation of nieces and nephews that are still with us on this plane, but I know they heard all about Ramah Lue, Cleora’s daughter.

Mom was preceded by her parents, John Green and Cleora Holt Green; her siblings, Lillian McGavock Smith Paster, Donald Brown, Katherine Holt Brown, Rosemary McGavock Hogan Moore, Helen Jean Brown, John Green, Raymond Green, and last but definitely not least, your baby sister Sonja Ann Coleman; Sister-in-law, Iris Green; Brother-in-law, Donald Coleman; and her husband/my Father, Robert Bilal Shabazz who passed away May 6, 2010.

I would like to thank all of my cousins for their help and condolences, especially my cousin Cristal Bahar; she helped gather pictures, dates and other necessary elements to complete my mother's celebration of life, and a lot of the pictures came from Nadirah, Cristal’s eldest daughter and my second cousin, so I want to make sure I thank her as well. She is well known as a very talented photographer.

Additionally, I would also like to thank my cousin Debra Green Dudley for the thoughtful announcement on social media, along with everyone who gave kind words and covered me and my family with a blanket of prayers.

Mom, we will miss you until we see you again. You are now in the arms of thousands of our ancestral angels, and may you find comfort there until the next realm makes itself known.

Love from me, and all of our family. - Daughter Michelle

Ramah Lue Green-Kirkland, the woman I better knew as Granny, the patient and loving woman who would gather my cousin, Jameela and I, to take us to fill our belly and spend time; at the all you can eat crab legs at the buffet, in the Suncoast Casino. After dinner we would often go to the arcade, while Granny and aunt Sonja tried there luck gambling at the penny slots. She was the inspiring creative who spent time teaching and showing me how to make beautiful beaded necklaces, bracelets, rings and literally anything you could think of. She was smart and business minded while she ran a business with my aunt Sonja, Lady Bugs. Granny was the present woman who would hold space with me while I would speak with her regarding my life challenges. Even being the best Gigi to her first great grandson Nylan Christopher Berry. I have so many beautiful memories of just what a great amazing Granny,Gigi, mother, and TT she was. - Granddaughter Maya

My grandmother will be remembered for the joy she found in life's simple pleasures and the love she shared with those around her. She had a special appreciation for beautiful jewelry, enjoyed listening to music, and never turned down a meal from Burger King, one of her favorite treats.

In her later years, Granny lived with dementia, a condition she faced with courage and dignity. Though the disease gradually changed many things, the memories she created and the impact she had on her family and friends remain lasting and cherished.

Those who knew my grandmother will remember her unique personality, her treasured collections, and the moments spent together enjoying music, conversation, and companionship. Her life touched many, and her memory will continue to live in the hearts of those who loved her.

Ramah is deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

"The music may fade, but the melody remains in our hearts forever." - Grandson Malik