Fela Strickland-Smith

Fela Monifa Strickland-Smith, a 53-year-old woman, beloved mother of two sons named Kyle Strickland and Tony Smith, and loving wife to her husband, Tyrone Smith, passed away unexpectedly on September 2, 2023. She was born on April 13, 1970, in Manhattan, NY, to her parents, Lawrence and Justine Strickland. Fela was a cherished family member and friend, known for her warm and loving nature. Fela brought joy and happiness to everyone. Her memory lives on with her sister, Dara Solomon, brother-in-law, James S. Solomon Jr., and numerous aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Fela grew up in different places, including New Jersey, New York, and Colorado, where she enjoyed outdoor activities such as climbing trees, skateboarding, and playing in the park. However, her formative years were spent in the Bronx, New York, where she graduated from Our Lady of Victory Academy High School in Dobbs Ferry. After high school, she moved to Virginia to attend Virginia Union University (VUU), where she pursued a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science and became a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, making many new friends along the way. Fela has accomplished much in her professional and social life, from running a multi-million-dollar business to receiving recognition from reputable publishers such as Black Enterprise.

Fela was a woman with diverse talents and a wide range of interests. She was a fun-spirited soul who enjoyed trying out new things and was passionate about learning, loving, and exploring the world around her to the fullest. She had a flair for cooking and loved creating recipes from scratch; she was notorious for her “famed peach cobbler.” She also had a green thumb and enjoyed gardening, using her knowledge to nurture and cultivate whatever food or herb she needed. She expressed herself in everything she did. Always on the go, Fela was an avid traveler, taking time to visit places around the country and the world. She even dreamed of buying an RV to travel the country. Throughout her life, Fela embodied the essence of a free spirit. “I will fill myself with love and share it with the world.” Fela lived each day like this. I ask each of you to take a page out of Fela’s book and do one Act of Kindness for October to make this world a better place.