Any time I speak about Baba Groden, I make sure to tell them how much you loved your kids. I make sure I let it be clear and known that you were my best friend. I wish you were here to be a grandfather to ALL these grandkids you have! Lol. 13 in total as of today. I love you so much and I miss you every single day. I truly just really wish you were here so I could just talk to you like we used to.

As I laid in bed this morning, you were heavy on my mind, I thought about how much your daughter reminds me of the younger you & wishing she’d have one last chance to speak with you. I didn’t realize we are just about 2 weeks shy of the anniversary of your passing, im hoping this was your way of saying, you’re here & you’re listening. I can’t do the would’ve, should’ve, could’ve but we were friends before our children existed… remember the time I whopped your butt in summer camp, I was only around 8 years old & mom had to pull me off of you lol… man Baba our stories can last a life time & I though I’d have a life time of fighting with you, sorry I wouldn’t take your calls, sorry I didn’t want to hear you out, sorry I didn’t respond to your messages & im truly sorry I didn’t have one last chance to say goodbye …. Forever in my heart 

Baba,
You and Salim were like brothers to me. When I heard of your passing, it saddened me , and I have to confess that I am still in a state of disbelief all these years later. 
What consoles my grief slightly is the great memories I have of you. Making me laugh, and running around President and Nostrand with you like we owned it.
I miss you my brother.
Your Cuzzo
Wade


I will always remember thou as a caring and loving person I will always remember you and I will never forget you.💗💗

It's crazy because I don't check emails often, especially my spam box. I look at it this way, if it's really that important they will call; but today, cleaning out emails, I saw an email from this site. I guess it was your way of calling, it's a few days past the anniversary of your going away. This has to be a reminder that you are never really too far away. I don't know how to explain how we got to where we're at but I guess it's a reminder that nothing in life should ever be taken for granted. 

Be good, keep watching over your loved ones

I don’t have much to say, but I miss you everyday. I am just so grateful that I got the opportunity to know you and I love you so much. 

Two years ago....Unreal. If we were to take a step back in time to this date (10/27), you only had a little over 24hrs before you answered the call. Your absence still has not settled within my spirit, but I know this is all God's will. Missing you as much as I did 2 years ago. Loving you always and forever nephew...always and forever xoxoxo

Happy new year B. ... Keep watching over us

10.28.2016 - An entire year has elapsed...more appropriately...evaporated!  Thought I would feel more emotional but in it's place I feel calm...centered. God makes no mistakes. He called you home for a purpose. I know you have embraced your new position within the Groden Tribe! ;-) Between Our Heavenly Father and the Ancestors...you are in GREAT company! In the meantime, the Sun continues to rise and set...one day upon my final sunset, I will join all of you!!!! Until then, Love You Nephew - Forever & Always xoxoxo

The 10th month of the year. I've been dreading it's arrival, yet marveled  at how swiftly it has surfaced. Your last month on this side.... starting with 10/1....only a mere 27 days left. Cannot see you nephew, but I feel you. All the time...especially today. You remain part of my heart and soul baby boy. The reality of your eternal absence is ever present. Love and Miss you Baba O...xoxo

I know your party was out of this world, but you can never have too many balloons.  Hope you liked them. Forever and always I will miss you...

5/15/16 - Your Sunrise...First one in Heaven. Betcha it is better than anything you ever imagined!!!  This day like all of the days since God called you home are tough, but I know God makes no mistakes. Celebrate your Sunrise in Heaven Nephew and I will do the same on here on Earth. Xoxoxo

The eve of your Sunrise.....God has you in his care but that does not make it hurt any less. My dear Nephew, you are my blood and will remain in my heart..always. Xoxoxoxo

I love you BaBa, ill never forget you. We may not have spoken enough before you passed, but youll always be my big brother and Ill miss you forever

Baba out of tragedy comes good & I would've never imagined any good coming out of your passing, it took for Taylor to loose you to gain a new found relationship with your family & im sure you wouldn't want it any other way.. I've been told Zakai your first grand looks like you lol.. I'm sure you like that... Be good & watch over my babies .. Xoxo

Baba, I miss you so much. My life hasn't been the same since you left. I'm so hurt by your loss and the emptiness that it has left in house. Waking up to you sitting on the couch hogging the only TV in the house or you taking all the leftovers for your lunch the next day are just a couple of things that would annoy me, but now I wish I could have them back. You were the only example of a father figure that I've witnessed in my home. I wish I could turn back time but I can't. I want to ask God why did he have to take you from us, but I know he as a plan for everything. I will just trust in him. I was really looking forward to you and my mother's wedding. She and I would have lunch at Spiral and talk about all the details. I was looking forward to one day having kids (one day) and you being their grandfather. I just knew that you were going to beat cancer, but God had other plans. Thanks Baba for being you. Thanks for coming to my College graduation and making us all cry with your speech. Thanks for stopping me and my friends at the door before we went out, just to say, that's too short.  Thanks for encouraging me not to move to Arkansas because you thought it wasn't the best move for my future. Thanks for putting up with my attitude, cause I know I could be a grouch. Thanks for never trying to force your way into my life and always being a friend and wanting what was best for me. You showed real patience. You're the real M.V.P (Most Valuable Pops).  I only hope that my future husband is as kind as you were to my mom. Please continue to watch over us. These days seem so rough lately. I know your smiling down on us and I hope to make your proud.

Baba, reminiscing on the happy times brings me strength, peace and joy.  Praise God for cameras. Amen!  This was such a good day.  Sameena made her debut at church and Naja stood up at alter call to join.  It was a very good day.  You were so proud to be praising God with your babies and grand baby. Your work here was done and I am beginning to accept that. You are so very missed, my love.  Always Your Mrs.

I think today it really sinks in that you're gone, I was unable to be there for you're final goodbye but a piece of you will always live in my heart & in my life through your eldest daughter Taylor Rose Groden.. We where childhood friends, teenage buddies & parents to the first most important person in my life; my baby girl.. Life never goes according to plan but I thank you for lessons & blessings & you will forever be remembered ....

Just sitting here thinking about you and missing that silly laughter that was always followed by a cough because of your many jokes and deep laughter to the bones. Always trying to get into my business. I cry for you daily, but I also laugh at your silliness, your love for me, and how you often tried to get nosey about my relationships. You were a son to me. You loved me so much and you knew the feeling was mutual. When I think about you I have to smile, to laugh, because I see your beautiful smile each time. You were such an easy going fellow. You shared with me the struggles you endured in your short life time, but it didn't get you down, not one time. You rolled with the punches and I saw at the end it made you a great man, husband, father, friend, and especially a great son in law. I love you Baba and will always miss you. The good news, the great news is that you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. I will see you again son. You are ok, the land of GOLD...and your son Malik share those beautiful attributes of yours. Every time I look at him, I see you. Thank you for him and thank you for loving Sherri in the manner you did. You adored that girl and told me personally, you loved her everyday of your life. I am so glad God brought y'all back together again. The two of you were a match made in heaven. So long my son, I love you much and will see you again. A link will always be missing from our family, but we have those great memories. R.I.P. Babe, for sure, we shall see each other again.
Mom

My first memory of you was a high school basketball game and your "baby bird call". I saw a father just as goofy and worrisome and loving as my own, and over the years you proved to be exactly that. You proved yourself in moments, and the memory of those moments is what catches me off guard. A smile; a yellow bracelet; a hug; a sunny day; a honeybun; a conversation. I welcome those memories, no matter the tears. You loved my family, and we loved you in return. I'd rather cry than forget. Cheers to you, cuz. See you on the other side.

Although I only met you once, it felt like I knew you very well through my dear friend Sherri.  She would talk about you so much and I looked forward to the day I finally had an opportunity to meet you.  It was for my birthday gathering and you were just as awesome as she described you.  It was apparent how much you cared about my friend and I was happy to know that you were back in her life.  You will be truly missed and forever remembered.  My family will continue to have Sherri, Malik and Khalia in our prayers and know that we will be there for them when they need it.

I always found Baba to be a very pleasant person and one who was always willing to help wherever he could. For example, he took on the task of being the DJ for the Black Vegetarian Society of Texas' Meatout festivals for several years. He pulled everything together and gladly conformed to the type of music I suggested he play. But he always brought his own flare and tastes to the task. While doing the music, he willingly took on other tasks as the need arose.

I recognized Baba as a strong family man who loved his wife, Sherri, and his children. When I saw them together, I observed the special connection that Sherri and he had.

I am a better man for having met Baba who had a gentle, yet strong, spirit and who kept his cool in trying situations.

Despite his brief sojourn on this earth, his memory and Christian example will live on. May God continue to bless his family and friends as we cherish his legacy.

You were a really good cook too.  Your vegan game deserved 'mad' props.  Still can't get my cauliflower steaks to taste nearly as good as yours.  I know your secret involved lots of coconut oil, more than I'd use, which makes it so incredibly yummy. Bob Marley's Ital Stew has to be one of your best dishes.  It was as hot as firecrackers - cleared my sinuses for the remainder of the season, but good.  The ingredients all sorted out was eye candy alone.  I appreciated your thoughtfulness, Baba.  It didn't go unnoticed, i.e., see the picture. You took such an interest in the things that were important to me. I hope I did the same for you.  - Your Mrs.

Baba, what I knew of you was that you would do anything to support your family. You embodied strength, kindness, and thoughtfulness. We will miss you at BVSTX functions but your presence stays with us. Your spirit lives on. Sharon

Hard to believe that today marks one month since you transitioned to our Father's house. Days are like hours and hours are like minutes.  I've lost sense of all but one thing.  Your absence. Which is profoundly apparent.  No banging around in the kitchen at sunrise. No Good Morning America.  No just because texts.  No celebrity gossip updates. No grocery list reminders.  No...you.  No, you. But I'm working through it.  Working some.  Staying connected - vertically and horizontally.  Marley is happy to be home.  I was watching your video the other day and he licked your face right on the screen.  See, he too misses you. We all do - so very, very much. 
Please continue to watch over us.  We still need you...

I only knew you briefly, but you were a wonderful addition to the lives of my family members (Sherri and family).  Your kindness and gentle spirit will always be remembered.

In true Baba fashion, ever so nonchalantly, you asked me to eulogize you and I declined for all the obvious reasons. So glad that you understood, because for me, time has stood still since 4:28pm on Wednesday, October 28th. The day before, you insisted that we were going home tomorrow. I just had no idea that you were not speaking of our earthly home, but your heavenly one with our Father. It's been several weeks since your service and after a period of extreme fog, I have so much to say. Last Thursday was Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday, and I struggled with celebrating any sort of gratitude. However, as I reflected on the last 46 days of your life, all I could do was praise the Lord for the Gift of being by your side every single step of the way. God took care of our home and everything in between, as I focused on caring, comforting and loving you. Your hospital room became our temporary abode - walls decorated with family photos and "custom crayon art" - air filled with scents of orange, lavender and clove - the hum of our juicer could be heard down the hall as well as the transformative sounds of gospel music ushering in the Holy Spirit each and every morning... It was our healing place. And as crazy as it sounds, while there, we even hosted a pizza lunch for the kids and an Empire viewing party for the season opener. Your response to both ideas was simply, "okay." Always so agreeable when it made sense LOL... Always up for a good time, even under such trying circumstances. And though we were hopeful in the healing power of Jesus, we recognized the importance of maximizing each and every moment. But you were always the proactive one anyway. The only person I've ever known to do their taxes on the same day that they received their W2s. The only person to cook then clean the kitchen and put the food in Tupperware containers before you'd sit down to eat dinner. So then it was no surprise, that when you'd ask the nurse for a pair of those yellow socks that you liked so much, you only allowed a 2 minute response window before taking matters into your own hands. Even if that meant unplugging your IV from the wall to go find a nurse - any nurse - or pushing the wall button until it started to beep and it wouldn't stop beeping and then we had to be moved to another room (you didn't hear that from me). You also had your nurse/Dr. preferences and was quick to let anyone know whether they measured up. And so there were two lists. Porsche, Kim, Alex, Sherri, Tina and Ashley made up the Good list - all about Team Baba - meds on time, lights turned down low and very little night time interruptions. It just makes me smile, that you were such an advocate for your own health and questioned EVERYTHING - new meds, dosages, interactions. Even when you were groggy and I was out of the room, you'd call my cell or have them call me to verify that no meds were missing and no new ones added. We were a formidable team. Those 46 days weren't easy. Not for me and certainly not for you. Nonetheless, you were the epitome of encouragement, strength and perseverance. You drank and ate when you didn't want to and sometimes when you couldn't, just so I would stop crying or retreat to my "couch/bed/office" as you would cue me by pointing in that direction. You'd talk and smile when you weren't up to it because somebody else needed it. You'd make jokes and sing just to lift spirits and change the tone of the room. When speaking became too much of an effort, you'd find that one word that summed up your sentiment and would say it, clearly, "EXACTLY!" Reaffirmation that we were all on the same page. My mind is still boggled by how with a stage 4 cancer diagnosis you got released from the hospital one day and back at work full time the next day. Of course it speaks to your undeniable work ethic, but there is a deeper lesson here to be gleaned by us all. As impossible as it may have seemed, you put your trust in God. And as long as you had breath, you continued to put one foot in front of the other - every single day. You were a living testimony of what it means to stare adversity down and keep walking - fearlessly. Why God opted not to heal you on this side, when we were so intent on beating this, escapes my understanding and I am still waiting on His answer. However, in the interim, I will ensure that your legacy of big heartedness and perseverance lives on. Your impact will be felt for generations to come. You transformed my heart and soul, Baba Groden. Taught me what grown up, unconditional, Agape love looks like and put shoes on it. My life is so much richer because you were a part of it. Thank you for helping me to deepen my faith and treat others with the same grace and mercy that I receive. Thank you for being an example of manhood for our son and daughters, showing them that the true measure of a man is the depth of his heart and not the breadth of his bank account. Thank you for our precious son Malik who is the embodiment of all things good between us - a tremendous blessing that neither one of us could have ever earned. Thank you for the laughter and the good times. Thank you for your eternal love and protection. Thank you for a wonderful ride, sir. It was the time of my life! Forever and always I love you, Your Mrs.

Farewell my son. You are greatly missed, but, I smile when I think of you. You brought so much joy into my world. R.I.P. until we meet again. We celebrate you daily and I know you are looking upon us with a smile. Loving and missing you always . Marty Doucette-Mom-in Law

Every time I get an image of you in my head, I hurt.  I'm trying my best.

We all know this life is but a mere step towards a greater journey. You have started the journey without us, but there will be no Goodbyes....only See You Again One Day. 

We will Love You Always and Forever Baba
Your entire family Xoxoxoxo

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Baba Groden. May the Holy One of Israel soothe Baba's family during this trying time.

OBITUARY

Baba Osuji Groden

15 May, 1971 – 28 October, 2015

Moore Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

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