Dionna Kirksey-Lamb

KIRKSEY-LAMB, Dionna (nee Kirksey)
January 1, 1958 – January 10, 2020
It is with great sadness that the family of Dionna Marie Kirksey-Lamb announces her passing. Born New Year’s Day January 1, 1958 in Washington D.C. and passed away in the early morning January 10, 2020 at Ochsner Health Center Westbank Intensive Care Unit, six months before her 30th wedding anniversary. She was just 62 years young. Dionna was preceded in death by her father, Hugh Donald Kirksey II of Washington DC on December 3, 1990, the same year that she was married. Dionna is sadly missed by her loving husband, Forrest Lamb, LtCol, USAF retired ; her beloved daughter and son, Zawadi Kirksey-Lamb and Osaze Lamb; her adoring mother, Elizabeth Kirksey; her siblings, GiVonna Kirksey, Suzon Kirksey, and Hugh Donald “Teddy” Kirksey III; her niece and nephew, Allegra Kirksey and Alexon Kirksey. Dionna will be especially missed by her closest friend, a friend of almost 20 years, Lisa Toney and Lisa’s daughter Jennifer Toney of Birmingham, AL.; and her long-term caring neighbors, Mary Wilson, Anthony Richard, and Gail Nash. Dionna was always intellectually ahead of her time, and a forward thinker. As a reliable student, she graduated from La Reine High School in 1976 with two years of perfect attendance. As a focused student and high achiever, she graduated with an Associate’s in pre-medicine from Howard University in 1977 and a dual Bachelor of Applied Science, with honors, in animal sciences and biology from Tuskegee University in 1981. Dionna was an accomplished vocalist. She was a member of the La Reine High School concert choir and the prestigious Tuskegee University Golden Voices. In addition to her academic honors, she married her college love on July 21, 1990, who she met while attending Tuskegee University and they have two children in which she nurtured into exceptional adults. She was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend. She volunteered for many years as an instructor for the Freedom Youth Academy, 1405 34th St SE, Washington D.C, a 501c3 community-based organization dedicated to improving the scholastic achievement and educational skills of the youth, founded by Dr. Henry J. Gaskins & Mrs. Mary Ann Gaskins. Dionna lived a full life as a wonderful mother, homemaker, and loving wife. Most of all she loved her family and instilled in her children strong values that have served them well. She will be dearly missed and forever in all of our hearts. Her life is a living example of Proverbs 31:10-12: “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” Friends are invited to share their memories of Dionna with her family during visitation at the Crossroads Church, 308 Avenue J, Belle Chase, LA on Thursday, January 23, 2020 from 10-11am. Celebration of Dionna’s life will follow at 11:00am. Friends are also invited to share their memories of Dionna with her family during Family Hour at Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 S Chester St, Little Rock, AR 72202 on Sunday January 26, 2020, from 4-6 pm. Interment will be at Arkansas Veterans Cemetery January 27, 2020, 1501 W Maryland Ave, North Little Rock, AR 72120 at 11:00am. Special thanks to the wonderful doctors and nurses at Ochsner Health Center Westbank Intensive Care Unit, and the professionals of West Jefferson Medical Center Ambulance Service who provided invaluable care to Dionna during her brief but fatal illness. Instead of flowers, please consider donating to the March of Dimes in honor of Dionna. In living memory of Dionna, a donation has already been made to the March of Dimes. “My biggest regret in life isn’t the things that I said, but the thing that I didn’t say. I never told Dionna, in words, that I was a better man today because of who she was...” Forrest
MOTHE FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may offer condolences at mothefunerals.com