Ms. Samouya Allen

Ms. Samouya  Larein  Allen, daughter of Derek Barnes and Monica Allen Fitzgerald, was born  May 10,1987 in Newport News, Virginia. She departed this life on May 23, 2023 in her home.

She grew up in Newport News except for the brief period of time that she lived in Washington, DC. She attended  Newport News Public Schools. She enjoyed  playing her saxophone in middle and high school and also being a part of the R.O.T.C.  She graduated from Heritage High School in June of 2005. Following high school, she attended North Carolina Central University.

 At an early age, she accepted Christ and became a member of Second Baptist Church under the Pastoral Leadership of Dr. Floyd Blackwell. She loved Pastor Blackwell !  She didn't want to leave church on Sundays without speaking to him. She was a member of the Children's Choir and the Junior Usher Board. When called upon to read  scripture, she selected Psalm 1.

Samouya took great pride in being a part of Mr. Thaddeus Hayes' ballet classes for the younger girls.  Rehearsals for the annual recitals required much time ,but she was up for the challenges.  It was all worthwhile  when they were finally performing on stage.  She performed in many recitals and received many trophies  which she proudly displayed at her home and her paternal grandparents' home. She also enjoyed being a part of  Krystal Knight's  K& K Dance Creations, a community dance group for young girls.

God blessed her with three beautiful children: Nhakiliyan , Jaedyn, and Saniyah. She had a long term loving relationship with Tony Shumaker, her daughter's father. She had other friends who looked  to her as a parent . She enjoyed watching movies, listening to music and playing video games with her children, 

her niece, and her goddaughter.  Sam Cooke's gospel songs were some of her favorites. She learned them while traveling to North Carolina with her grandparents. Her siblings looked to her for guidance and support.

The neighborhood children loved her and enjoyed being in her home.  She grew to love cooking and creating new dishes. On special occasions, her neighbors and friends got their requests in early for what they wanted her to prepare. She had an "Open Door " policy for taking in family and friends who needed lodging for a period of time. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and others who knew and loved her.

 She was  preceded in death by her grandmother, Lerona Jones and her grandfather, Mancilee Williams.

 She leaves to cherish her memories: her three children, Nhakiliyan Allen, Jaedyn Hopson, and Saniyah Shumaker of Newport News, VA; her parents, Derek Barnes(Christina)of Newport News, VA and Monica Allen Fitzgerald of Maryland; her siblings, Yasmine and Bayshon Allen of Newport News, VA, Sydney Allen of Southeast DC, Jonathan Allen of Florida, Nakiia and Darrick Allen of Maryland,  Najae Allen of Suffolk, VA, and Jasmine Paul of Newport News, VA; her grandparents, Lawrence(Helen) of Hampton, VA ; her aunt, Jeneica Edwards of  Winterville, NC;  her nieces, Ayari and Naomi Allen of Southeast DC, Zhamila and Serenity Allen of Newport News, VA; nephews, Nyree and Piere Allen of Southeast DC, and Chy'reek Allen of Newport News, VA; goddaughter, Brooklyn Johnson of Newport  News, VA; an adopted daughter, Khyle Lafrance; and an adopted grandson , Kayden Lafrance of Newport News, VA.   She is also survived by numerous cousins and friends.

It is the desire of the Allen family that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

The family of Ms. Samouya Allen has entrusted her final care to C. C. Carter Funeral Home, Inc.

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