Mykelatoya "Toya" Michiko Vassell

From the very beginning, it was evident that Toya was an exceptionally bright, curious, creative, and determined child.

Even as a toddler, her determination was remarkable. At only two years old, Toya decided she wanted to learn how to tie her own shoelaces. She practiced day after day, refusing to give up until, by the age of three, she had mastered it.

At just two years old, Toya could also spell all ten letters of her first name—M-Y-K-E-L-A-T-O-Y-A. Her next challenge was learning how to write it. With the creativity that would become part of who she was, Toya took her mother's bobby pins, sat on the floor, and carefully arranged them letter by letter until her entire name was spelled out before her.

Those childhood moments were early glimpses of the young woman she would become.

Intelligent. Creative. Determined. Persistent.

When Toya set her mind to something, she worked at it until she accomplished it.

Throughout her school years, Toya continued to demonstrate extraordinary academic ability. She excelled in her studies, participated in honors classes, and consistently earned outstanding grades. As a little girl, she dreamed of becoming a doctor, and her intelligence and determination made those who loved her believe there was very little she could not accomplish.

Although Toya encountered tremendous challenges during her young life, she continued to pursue her education with remarkable perseverance. After high school, she attended college and ultimately accomplished something of which her family will forever be proud: she earned two master's degrees in business.

Her achievements were a testament to the strength, intelligence, and determination that had been evident in her since childhood.

But Toya was so much more than her academic accomplishments.

She was a daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, aunt, and friend.

She was a young woman whose journey was not always easy, yet whose life demonstrated incredible perseverance. She carried battles that were not always visible to others, and her journey reminds us to extend compassion, patience, understanding, and grace because we may never fully know what another person is carrying.

Today, her family chooses to remember all of Toya.

We remember the beautiful little girl with big dreams.

We remember her intelligence and creativity.

We remember her determination.

We remember her accomplishments.

We remember her strength.

We remember her smile.

And above all, we remember Toya—the person we knew and loved.

Mykelatoya leaves to cherish her precious memory her loving mother, Latoya Kentish; her father, Michael Vassell; her brothers, Michael Vassell Jr., Sanjay Taff, and Micah Vassell; her sister, Jade Williams; her grandmother, Adassa Burchell; and her grandfather, Leonel Kentish.

She also leaves to cherish her memory her uncles, Dewayne Kentish and Damian Kentish, along with her many beloved aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family members, and a host of dear friends whose lives were touched by hers.

Twenty-six years was far too short.

There were more dreams to fulfill, more accomplishments to achieve, more memories to make, and so much more life to live.

Yet the length of a person's life does not determine the value of that life.

Toya's life mattered.

Her story mattered.

She was loved then.

She is loved now.

And she will continue to be loved and remembered by those who carry her memory in their hearts.

Although our hearts are heavy as we say goodbye, we are grateful for the twenty-six years that God allowed Mykelatoya to be a part of our lives.

May we remember her not simply for the difficult chapters of her journey, but for the beautiful, brilliant, determined young woman she was.

The little girl who wouldn't give up until she could tie her own shoes.

The two-year-old who found a creative way to write all ten letters of her name with bobby pins.

The gifted student who continued to excel.

The young woman who persevered and earned two master's degrees.

The Daughter.

The Sister.

The Granddaughter.

The Niece.

The Cousin.

The Aunt.

The Friend.

Our Toya.

**She was loved.

She mattered.

She will be remembered.**

Rest peacefully, Mykelatoya “Toya.”

Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever in our hearts.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Bailey Memorial Funeral Home, 6701 West Commercial Boulevard, Tamarac, FL 33319.

A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will immediately follow at 11:30 a.m.

The Committal Service will take place at Lauderdale Memorial Park, 2001 SW 4th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315.

The Vassell family sincerely appreciates your prayers, love, and support during this time of bereavement.

She is Forever Loved and Remembered.