Malayah Nicole Bell

Loved Beyond Words, Missed Beyond Measure

Malayah Nicole Bell, 17, of Laurel, Maryland, born January 8, 2009, in Annapolis, Maryland, was the beloved and cherished daughter of Lauren A. Bell and Prince C. Dennis-Osuagwu. Raised in Lanham and Bowie, MD, she was the beloved older sister to Savannah, Nasir and Noah Dennis-Osuagwu. She passed on April 6, 2026.

Malayah was known for her kindness, warmth, and intelligence. A junior at Meade High School in Ft. Meade, Maryland, she was a straight A student. Her favorite subjects were math and culinary arts, and she had begun taking courses toward her AA degree through a special program with Anne Arundel Community College. Her goal was to graduate with both her AA degree and high school diploma. Her ambition was to become a Radiologist.

As the first born, Malayah was “mommy’s shadow”, following her mother around and sitting next to her at family gatherings, whenever out and about, and even at home watching TV. They shared a creative and caring spirit. From her mom, she gained her artistic skills. She developed a love for old-school music and was amused when her mother would break out in song in mid-conversation. She adored having mother-daughter pampering and eating-out days.

One of Malayah’s passions was cars, which she “inherited” from her father. Some of the most fun and special times she had was riding with her dad and listening to music blasting from the radio. From a very early age, while riding on the highway or around town, Malayah could name the make and model of nearly every automobile that passed. Her favorite car was the Dodge Challenger Hellcat, which she was convinced (mistakenly) that her dad and her PaPa would purchase for her when she got her driver’s license.

Malayah was a great big sister. Not only was she kind and sweet, she was also helpful, too. She would help take care of her sister and brothers, whom she loved dearly. And she was extremely close to her cousins Larry, Kaeden, Liam, and Kai Williams – who felt more like siblings. Malayah, her siblings, and cousins endlessly teased one another (affectionately, of course), borrowed (“stole”) each other’s clothes and shoes, texted non-stop, and competed fun-lovingly at family gatherings.

Malayah answered to many nicknames – Pumpkin, Layah-Bayah, or simply Layah – but her favorite of all was Tookie Monster, given to her at birth by her “Gauntie” (godmother and aunt) Kimberly Nicole Williams, and it stuck. Tookie was especially close to her Gauntie, with whom she shared her middle name, and the two of them loved spending time talking, cooking, sharing stories and playfully annoying each other.

Grandparents, Lawrence and Lorraine Bell, loved, adored, and spoiled Malayah. She often spent weekends with them, enjoying cooking meals and baking desserts from scratch and teaching MaMa her culinary tricks. She loved watching old movies with her PaPa, and riding roller coasters with him, too. She also helped care for her great-grandmother, Elizabeth Bernice Bell (GG), and devoted her Summer ‘24 school break assisting MaMa and PaPa with GG’s care.

Malayah loved her grandmother, Ugoeze A. Dennis-Osuagwu, and grandfather, the late King Eze Oshimiri A. Dennis-Osuagwu, of Awaka Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Even though she was unable to see them much, she looked forward to their visits to the US and talking constantly via WhatsApp.

Besides her family, Malayah’s closest companions were her “second family”, best friend Mariah and Mariah's mother, Marketa Turner. Mariah and Malayah met in elementary school, became besties and remained so even after Malayah moved from Lanham to Laurel. Fond memories included sleep overs, attending games at Mariah’s school, and chitchatting as best friends do.

Malayah was very talented and creative. She was especially talented when it came to doing her hair… or anyone’s hair. When she was around 12 years old, she recognized her skill and passion for hairstyling. She soon started earning money twisting and braiding. She took pleasure in styling and working on her mother’s and sister’s hair. On weekends during her sophomore year and this past summer, she worked at Naturally Created For U, a salon owned by Maria Kimbell, a close family friend. Malayah truly appreciated Ms. Maria for giving her a chance to learn and grow.

Malayah had style, which she shared in common with her aunt, Ihunna Dennis-Osuagwu (Charlotte, NC). They bonded over clothes and purses. Malayah loved purses, a love that began when she was a toddler trying to carry her mother and aunts’ handbags that, of course, were nearly as big as she. As a teen, she was proud that she could start her small collection and purchase them herself.

Her other interests included playing the flute at Glenn Dale Elementary School and cheering on the cheerleading squad at Thomas Johnson Middle School.

Malayah is cherished by her great-aunt Kaye Darr. They enjoyed attending various social events together. She eagerly anticipated their annual shopping trip. She appreciated going to Sunday school at Seaton AME Church with Aunt Kaye where, although very shy, she actively participated in church school activities. She also liked attending Zion Church as a younger child with her parents and siblings.

She is loved also by her great-uncle Lloyd Darr and valued time spent with him at his cookouts and special family gatherings. In addition, she leaves to cherish her memory, her uncles Kennedy Upakbi and Obinna Dennis-Osuagwu, her aunt Adanna Honeycutt, their spouses and children; great-uncle Kenny Lewis; and a host of other family members, friends and schoolmates.

It is a blessing to have known and been a part of Malayah’s life for the past 17 years and have her as a part of ours.

May You, God, please keep her close to You, and watch over us, her family and friends.