Nazeeh M. Shabazz

He received Christ at an early age and grew up in the Beulah Baptist Church where he got his foundation as a young man. As a young child he was very different. He always showed great concern for others, whether children his age or adults; sometimes taking you off guard by the conversations about culture and life that he would have as early as age 10. Throughout his school age years Nazeeh’s talent exemplified all that God had gifted him with. In elementary school he designed the graduation program for his class and subsequently designed a baseball card which highlighted his artistic skillset even more. In high-school Nazeeh emersed himself in two of his loves; swimming and design. He graduated from Poughkeepsie High School with many accolades for his swimming prowess, and as an avid swimmer

led the PHS team to many state-wide awards and recognition. Nazeeh many times in school would finish his lesson and escape to the world of art which subsequently made him a stand-out amongst his peers. Many may remember how NIKE solicited design work from him. He truly walked in his gifts all his life.

Before entering college, Nazeeh designed window decal stickers for the PAL (Police Athletic League); which is still in circulation. He received recognition in the local newspaper for his design work and his talents ultimately resulted in him receiving a scholarship to attend Pratt Institute where he studied Architectural Design. In 2002, Nazeeh was led to relocate to Georgia. Here is where he met the Love of his life Maila. They were married in 2008 and have four children Nyla (who is in military college), Makayla (who just graduated last month and is headed to West GA to study forensic science), Emmanuel (their little bundle who is 4 years of age), and most recently solidified the union of their foster-to adoption of Edita (who is 17). In addition, during this marvelous union they have fostered 18 children; pouring into them the love of God. In 2021, Nazeeh and his wife were named foster parents of the year followed by additional honors for foster parents of the month. In 2024 they were awarded the Shining Star Foster Parents from the Multi-Agency Alliance for Children. They have been living out the assignment

God has for their lives and reaching children as they travel along this journey. Even with all this on his plate, Nazeeh completed his Bachelors of Science in Information Technology with an emphasis on Cyber Security. He spent over 10 years with IBM in IT after which he transitioned to his area of specialty with Southern Company here in Georgia. Most recently Nazeeh set out to accomplish a new goal and was accepted into the Master of Science program at Kennesaw State University.

To know Nazeeh was to love him.

Nazeeh is survived by his life-long love, his wife; Maila Shabazz, his children Nyla, Makayla, Emmanuel and Edita; his mother, Yvette; father-in-love (Theo) Johnson; his father, Nazeeh Shabazz; siblings, Nataisha Harvard, Nia (Ahmad) Shabazz Elnour, Elan Shabazz, Rayvonne (Ashley) Johnson, Dinika Ellison-Hightower; aunts, Derea Johnson, Rochelle (Delroy “Irie”) Scott, Carmen Foster, Sharon Mayfield, Regina Mayfield, Sheila Johnson, Rosalyn Johnson; uncles, Derwin (Cynthia) Foster; Isaiah (Jackie) Johnson, Darrin Mayfield, and Michael Mayfield; sister-in-law, Latonya (Tiny) and Brian Merriweather.

Nazeeh was about family and had a special and close relationship with several cousins, nieces, and nephews: Courtney, Danielle and Joe Johnson III, Monique and Anthony Scott; Kristyn and Donovan Jr. Foster; Alyxander (McCall) Foster, Jazmyn (Dondrale) Foster, Tyson Bonaparte, Sharee and William (Billy) Daniels, Elizabeth “Muff” Johnson; Anaiah Rouse, Jordyn, Taylor and Jayden Henry; Harun Elnor; Ava, Zoe, and Izzy Johnson; Bryson, Brian Jr, and Layla Meriweather; and two great nephews, Mayson and Dior.

Nazeeh also served as a Big Brother (uncle) to Omar, Jamari and Trevon. Special family friends: Marva and Clive; Tracie; and Angie; long-time school buddies: Archie, Brian, Jeremy, Sean, and Wazir; and a host of other cousins and friends.

Nazeeh is predeceased by his maternal grandmother, Eckle Foster; and paternal grandparents, Lela Mae and Joel Winthrop Mayfield and Elizabeth Johnson. In addition, he is also predeceased by uncles, Donovan Foster and Gilles (Shelton) Bonaparte; and aunts, Cynthia Mayfield, Rachel Johnson, Beatrice (Kitty) and Cynthia Johnson.

Nazeeh has been an encourager, an extraordinary listener and wise beyond his years. He was not only a talented artist, committed husband, father and devoted son, but a gifted man of God on a mission for the Lord. He lived to bring people together and now in his passing he calls out to each of us – leaving us with the ultimate question -

OK Family, What Are You Going to Do Now?