Ms. CYNTHIA NWOKEKEH

Cynthia Lucille (Butler) Nwokekeh marched to the beat of her own drum until the morning of June 15, 2023. Her stride began on May 5, 1949, and she lived for 74 years. She was born in Washington, DC to the late Shirley Jane (Henderson) Williams and Arthur Butler. She was the eldest to three sisters. She was educated through the District of Columbia Public School System and graduated from Frank W. Ballou Senior High School. She went on to obtain her Bachlors degree from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee where she pledged Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. She attended the Universy of the District of Columbia where she received her Masters Degree in Speech Therapy. She worked for many years in the Charles County Public School System as a Speech Pathologist and was instrumental with the development of the Assistive Technology Program. She has always been an advocate for students with special needs. More than 50 years ago she met and married the love of her life, the late Emeka Fidel Nwokekeh. From that union she welcomed and treasured her son Eric Nwokekeh who she nurtured and loved deeply. She was a member of Shaw United Methodist Church where she sang in the Gospel choir and served as a Vacation Bible School Teacher. She was highly active in her community, volunteering her time. She was a member of the Red Hats Society, she was a Scout Leader for both the Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital and the Boy Scouts of America. She also loved swimming and was a avid gardener. She enjoyed baseball and was a season ticket holder for the Washington Nationals. After retiring from the CCPS, she pursued her dream of being an entrepreneur of personal care and health and beauty products under the names of Lucyn’s Solutions and Lucyn’s Creations. She found her happy place when she became co-owner and opened her store in The Marketplace in Temple Hills, Maryland and sold her handmade crochet, knitted goods and African imports. She took a variety of fine art classes at Harmony Hall and Prince George's Community College to continue her passion in creative expression. Most recently she had begun taking piano lessons. May the rhythm of her beat live on. She leaves to mourn, her son, Eric Nwokekeh, bonus daughter Danny. Her sisters Ernestine Swann, Aurelia Williams and Valerie DeFreece. Brother-in laws Rodney and Anthony, Sr., nieces- Angela, Monet, Ashley and Sophia, nephews- Russell, Stephen, Anthony, Jr. and Jared, great-nephews Angelo and Demetrius and a great-niece Aaron and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and many lifelong friends.

Ms. CYNTHIA NWOKEKEH

May 5, 1949 - June 15, 2023