Tamika "Mika" LaShawn Manning

Tamika was raised in Asbury Park, New Jersey where she attended various schools, starting at the age of three. Due to her down syndrome, Mika was moved to a school to meet her needs, The Hurley School. She was very talented at Hurley and had several singing debuts in plays such as Hello, Sleeping Beauty and Seven Dwarfs. She also was very involved in horseback riding and the Special Olympics when she attended Bangs Avenue Middle School and Asbury Park High School. She won several medals and wore them proudly. After completing her education at Asbury Park High School, she graduated with her high school Diploma in 1995 at the age of 21.

Tamika moved onto her next journey working at DDD in Long Branch, New Jersey participating in various campaigns. Her most notable campaign was, The Teddy Bear. The Teddy Bear can be purchased at the Super Markets filled with animal cookies. Mika was in charge of filling the black dots of the eyes and nose of The Teddy Bear.

It is hard to place time in one’s journey, when in between the journey is illness, rejections, and sorrow. Nevertheless, these obstacles tend to hamper one’s journey, Tamika was a fighter and persevered. She kept the faith in praying, Psalm 121, God neither, slumbers nor, sleeps, and that scripture kept her through it all.

Tamika came to Georgia in 2008 to be placed on dialysis. Although another life changing event, she remained unchanging and forgiving. Through her life challenges, Tamika always handled them with a smile and giving her best in everything.

Tamika is God’s special princess and God’s unique masterpiece. God saw Tamika special and placed her in her loving mother’s hands, Cheryl. Cheryl loved, took care of, protected and watched over Tamika until she completed her journey here on Earth and was called to Heavenly Home. Tamika’s smile, laughter, ever loving heart and bossiness, will truly be missed. Until we meet again, Princess.

Tamika is preceded in death by her great grandfather, Bill Kendle; two grandfathers, Wilbert John Lambert and James Manning; great grandmother, Merlin Kendle; and grandmother Erline Shane; step grandmother, Clara Manning, and Uncle Charlie Shane.

Tamika leaves to cherish her memories: father, John Lambert (Stacy), mother, Cheryl Manning, grandmother, Lillian Lambert, brother, Kevin Manning (Cynthia), sisters: Cheryl Akins (Jay), Connie Morrisey, Tanesha Lambert-Pinkney (Keith), LaTisha Lambert, Fontae Wilkinson, Chanya Barr-Taylor; maternal aunts and uncles: Pamela Simons, Tracy Forbes (Victor), Erline Anyanwa, Cathrine Ballard (Richard), James Manning, Corey Shane, Kim Shane, Geri Shane, Buggy Shane, Lillian Lambert-Bristow, Wilbert Lambert, Ethel Mae Lambert, Patrice Riddick and Dawn Riddick; cousins; Jay Simmons, Ronnie Manning, Hank Miller, Alfred Mitchell, Anthony Mitchell, Andrew Mitchell, Antoinette Simons, Nakia Manning, Anita Mitchell, Aaron Ballard, Richard Ballard, Jr., Nadine Vargas, James Manning, Jr., Monique Manning, Charline Reese, Dada Riddick, Kia Bristow and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

A very special thank you to Davita Medlock Bridge Dialysis: Betty Celestin, Kevin Frank, Jennifer Imagoro, Wantisa Lewis, Dafe Siebere, Sumy Thakolkaran, Valarie Laja and Lisa; Emory Johns Creek and Northside Hospital Duluth; Dr. Chandra Atlanta Heart Specialists, LLC, Dr. Jasti, Dr. Paxton, Dr. Adulla, Dr. Gill Georgia Quality Kidney Care; and Peach State EMS. I like to thank each and everyone who had a hand in Tamika’s care.

Please visit www.roswellfuneralhome.com to leave memories to the family.