LANSING, MI — Twelve-year-old Diamond Ramona Luiz was born on March 15, 1999 in Lansing, Michigan to LaTieshia Jackson and Roland Luiz. Diamond was the third daughter of LaTieshia and the first born to Roland.
Diamond gave her family a lifetime of love during her short time on earth. Her life was a brief gift for those who knew her. Her spirit of giving will live on. She started school at the young age of three and excelled. She continued her education at Shabazz Academy where she was a Malcolm X Scholar. Diamond enjoyed being a member of the African Dance Team, the cheerleading squad and she enjoyed art.
She was currently attending Lansing School District’s Gardner Middle School, where she was enjoying her seventh grade year. During her short time on earth, she was a very talented writer. Diamond found her passion and love for music at the tender age of seven. Diamond always carried around her diary, collecting her thoughts for new found rap lyrics.
She was preceded in death by: her grandmothers, Rose Lee Earvin and Carmen Luiz; grandfathers, Raymond Earvin, Kenneth Donald and Oscar Young; and her uncle LaVon Earvin.
Diamond Ramona Luiz passed away peacefully on October 8, 2011 and is now resting in the hands of the Lord. At the time of her passing, Diamond was resting at home with her family. She leaves to forever cherish her memory; her mother, LaTieshia Jackson; her father, Roland Luiz, Sr,; three sisters, Nautica Bryant, Kenshamier Jackson and LaTieshia Mason; brother, Roland Luiz, Jr.; grandmother, Ramona Jackson; three aunts, Tina Earvin, Anisha (Mike) Fromby, and Angel Jackson; uncle, Jose Young, II; cousins, Cornelius Weems II, Lavon Earvin II, Michael Fromby II, Lavell Fromby, MeKyale Fomby, Kenyarra Donald, Kenyae Donald, and Aubrielle Jackson; and a host of cousins, aunts, uncles, relatives and friends.
Shabazz Academy students were saddened by the loss and even though she graduated in June of 2011, the students had a memorial walk for Diamond. The children purchased wristbands to help with funeral expenses. Diamond’s funeral was held on October 11, 2011 at Eliezer Temple Church. The arrangements were made by Riley Funeral Home. If you would like to make a donation, please send it to Riley Funeral Home, 426 W. Saint Joseph Street, Lansing, MI 48933-2222. For more information contact them directly at 517-372-6009.
Shabazz Academy will also be honoring Diamond by showing a short video at the school located at 1028 West Barnes Avenue in Lansing, MI on October 28, 2011 at 4:00 pm during Harambee, their monthly school assembly. The public is invited to attend all Harambees.
Haywood J. Edwards Sr.,
Administrative Assistant at
Shabazz Academy said, “It was an encouraging sight to see the entire Shabazz Family (Board of Directors, Chief School Administrator, Staff, students, and parents) come together in support of Diamond’s family. She was a shining star and was representative of our best efforts at molding children to be intelligent and caring contributors to society.”
This was printed in the October 23, 2011 – November 5, 2011 Edition.
