Malika Y James

Malika Yakini James was born in Jamaica on December 21, 1974, the youngest daughter born to Vivienne Earle. On October 23, 2022, her eight-year battle with cancer ended, and she was called home to be with our Lord.

Growing up in Jamaica, Malika always had a sense of adventure and travel. She was always outside horseback riding, climbing trees, and letting her love of nature lead her day.

After completing her education at Parkville High School, Malika continued studying at Essex Community College, where she graduated with an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice. After her academic career, she turned to serve her country and enlisted in the Army. She was officially honorably discharged in 2001. While serving, she received a National Defense Service medal, an Army Service Ribbon, and a Marksman Marksmanship badge.

After the Army, she returned home and had two children; a baby girl in 1997, Shamira, and a baby boy in 2000, Shemar. One of her greatest joys was motherhood, and with the support of her friends and family, she raised her kids to be kind, thoughtful, and strong and to never let this cruel world dull their shine.

Malika held many jobs, from a waitress at IHOP to a cashier at Party City. She also worked for the Maryland Board of Nursing, the University of Maryland Medical Center, and finally, for the State of Maryland, processing government assistance applications for needy families.

Always quick to connect with someone, Malika made friends everywhere she went. Her coworkers always held her in high regard and loved working with her. Her longest-standing group of friends, the Sista Circle, met each other through their teenage years and 20s. Together they've taken several trips, celebrated significant accomplishments, and in general, exemplified what true friendship is.

Malika had the heart of a warrior. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and beat it, then diagnosed with ovarian cancer and beat it as well. No matter what life threw at her health, she always took it head-on and never missed a chance to fight. May her fighting spirit be a memory to all, that you are always stronger than you think you are.

Malika is survived by her two children, Shamira, and Shemar James. As well as her mother, Vivienne Earle; her brother Dwayne James, her sisters, Anika, Kiana and Sharifa James; and all of her uncles, aunts, nieces, and nephews.