Lionel Andre James Keijuan Eugene

ARRANGEMENTS BY ANDERSON-RAGSDALE MORTUARY

Funeral service was held on January 19, 2023, at Memory Chapel of Anderson Ragsdale Mortuary, with a burial following at Miramar National Park. Final arrangements were entrusted to Anderson Ragsdale Mortuary.

Lionel was a kind, caring, and loving man who always gave the best advice. He always had a smile that lit up the room and never had a dull moment.

Lionel was an avid fisherman, billiards player, gardener, car enthusiast, and traveler. He would always help others who needed a shoulder to lean on and keep them on track, whether they liked it or not.

Lionel Andre Thomas, 60, of San Diego, California, passed on December 28, 2022. He was born to Elijah Thomas and Berenice Edgerson Thomas on January 06, 1963. Lionel received his formal education in the St. Tammany Parish School System and graduated from Mandeville High School class of 1981. Lionel was a multi-sport athlete, excelling at football. He attended Southern University and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1983.

Lionel was stationed at the Long Beach Naval Base when he met Tina in 1986. He married Tina Thomas in 1988, and they lived together in San Diego, California. Lionel raised three children: Trevell Fleming (Lacombe, La), Lionel Thomas (Latisha), and Carla Thomas (San Diego, Ca). He had six grandchildren: Trevell Fleming Jr, Katie Ana Fleming, Schori Fleming, Amiah Fleming, Jocelyn Fleming, and Aniyah Scott.

Senior Chief Petty Officer Thomas served his country for 21 years in the United States Navy. He accomplished many medals and awards during his service. He made Chief in 1994 while on the USS Wabash. During his time with the Sea Bees in 1999, Lionel helped build a hospital and essential services for villages in Kenya. He was very proud of his contribution to this humanitarian mission. Lionel Honorably Retired from the Navy in 2004. Lionel later worked at the Department of Veteran Affairs San Diego as the Fleet Manager until he retired in 2022, and was passionate about affecting the most positive change in people.

Lionel leaves to cherish his memories of his wife Tina; son Lionel Jr.; daughter Carla and granddaughter (San Diego); five grandchildren (Lacombe, LA); two brothers Robert (Dorothy) Thomas and Carl (Sandra) Preston; sister Joyce Winston; aunt Gloria Edgerson; mother-in-law Arizona Woods; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Elijah and Bernice Thomas; four Brothers Ronald, Bruce, Charles and Herbert; son Trevell Fleming; and grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. He will be deeply missed by family and friends, and forever in our hearts.

ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL MORTUARY

Arrangements by Preferred Cremation & Burial. Funeral Services were held on January 24, 2023, at Ambassadors For Christ Missionary Baptist Church James Jones, Jr. known as “Lil James” or “King James,” was loved by everyone that he encountered. James had a huge heart and deeply loved his family. James Jones, Jr. was born on June 18, 1947, in Wabbaseka, Arkansas. He was the first-born child to Annie M. Jones and James W. Jones. His father was a pastor, and his mother was a missionary at Helping Hand Church of God in Christ in San Diego, CA.

James, Jr. attended Memorial Grade School and completed his education at Lincoln High School in San Diego in 1966. James loved working as a truck driver at Roadway Trucking Company for thirty years. He also enjoyed blues music, was a Master King playing the racehorses, a trick of trade playing all card games, and Raddle and Roll shooting the dice. James owned his private club for over thirty years in San Diego. He was very generous with his skills. James knew how to make an entrance and he was so funny and brought so much joy and laughter into everyone’s space. It is impossible for a few paragraphs to contain the life and legacy of our beloved James. He was a wonderful sweetheart and supportive husband. From time to time, James would find his way to Ambassadors for Christ Missionary Baptist Church in San Diego.

James passed on January 08, 2023. He was preceded in death by parents, two sisters, and one brother. He leaves to cherish his memories his loving wife Earnestine Jones-Howard; three children, James Jones (wife and son Biscuit), Jerrell Jones (son, DJ, Brandon, and daughter, Alissa Jones) and Janelle JonesPhillip (Larry) all of San Diego from a previous marriage that he loved dearly; daughters, Sylvia Bismissah, Starla Alaman, Sabrina Hughes, and Shatari (husband Wendell, Jr. and children, Lil Wendell, AJ, and KJ Wooley); sons, Shea Wade, Stevie Jones-Howard (wife Tanesha and children Aaliyah, Jabari, Jaheim, Baby James, Dooda and Jon Jon), and Richard Rehim Wade; sisters, Deloris Gibson, Ella A. Jones and Erma Smith; brother John Henry Jones (wife Crystal); a host of grandchildren nieces, nephews, and great-grandkids.

ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL MORTUARY

Arrangements by Preferred Cremation & Burial. Funeral Services were held on January 31, 2023, at Greater Life Baptist Church

Keijuan Eugene Franklin was born to Kimberly Hopson and Sammie Franklin, Jr. on Tuesday, October 1, 2002, in San Diego, California.

Keijuan was affectionately called “Pooh Face “or “Butts”, by family members, and close friends. He received his formal education from the San Diego Unified School District. He attended both Elizabeth Freese and Robert J. Fulton Elementary Schools. Keijuan was also a student at Samuel F.B. Morse High School, and he received his GED from Worthington Charter School in 2018. As a child, Keijuan was very active in sports. He played football for Skyline Pop Warner, and baseball with the Lemon Grove Little League. He was a phenomenal baseball player. Keijuan had a willingness and the attitude that HE could play each and every position on that field.

Keijuan enjoyed playing video games, watching his favorite sports teams, listening to music, going to the mall, hanging out with family and friends, and going on lunch dates with his mom.

In 2018 Keijuan met Jasmine, his high school sweetheart. From this courtship, they would later welcome and become proud parents to a beautiful baby girl. Journey Leiann Franklin was born February 16, 2020, and instantly became the love and greatest blessing of his life.

Keijuan worked various jobs, including Manna BBQ, Jack in the Box, and Job Corps. His most recent employment was with UPS. His infectious laugh, funny sense of humor, charming personality, light-hearted spirit, and that big beautiful smile is going to be deeply missed.

Before sunrise on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, Keijuan received his wings and was called home to be in the presence of the Lord. Keijuan was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Albert Hopson, Jr. and Sammie Franklin, Sr.; grandmother, Genethea Hare; and uncles, Jason Riley, Sr., and Albert Lorenzo Hopson.

Keijuan leaves to cherish his memory: mother Kimberly Hopson, father Sammie Franklin, Jr.; daughter Journey Franklin; sisters Shaniqua Jenkins, Kiana Moore, Alexis Franklin, Jaden Franklin, Jada Franklin, Jaidyn Franklin, Ayanna Franklin, Analys Franklin, and Ariani Franklin; brothers Michael Franklin, Mycah Franklin, and Mykel Franklin; stepsisters: La ‘Ren Daniels, Trineesha Turner, TaShawn Holiday, and Jackee’ Jones; stepbrothers: Larren Daniels, Le’Onte Leflflore, Vasante Young; grandmother, Faye McCastle; four nieces; one nephew; best friend and soulmate, Jasmine Timmons; as well as a host of aunts, uncles, many cousins, and friends who will miss him dearly.

Najee H. Woods

ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL MORTUARY

Najee Hakeem Woods was born on June 10, 1999, to his loving mother Kimberly Ford. Kimberly later married Charles Bircher, who took Najee in as his own as his tenth child. Najee went to Bostonia Elementary, Community Day Middle School, and Reach Academy High School. Najee excelled in school and was loved by his classmates, teachers, and counselors. Najee was a beloved member of the City of Praise Church; he was a part of the music ministry as a drummer and bassist. Najee desired to become a music producer after graduating high school.

Najee was baptized in Jesus’ name in 2015 and then began to exercise his spiritual gifting in music. Najee loved playing music in the house of God. He never had any formal training on any of the instruments he picked up, he played by ear and was self-taught. Najee practiced at home day and night and his family will always remember the tunes and beats he created.

Najee was a carefree and happy child. He loved playing outside with his siblings and friends, he had a natural sense of competition and his laugh was contagious. He loved swimming at the community pool in the summertime, he loved skateboarding at the Youth Venture in El Cajon, he also loved going laser tagging and to the movies with the youth group at The City of Praise Church. Najee loved his siblings and friends whom he lovingly called his brothers. Najee passed on January 10, 2023. His tragic and untimely death leaves an enormous void with his family and friends but God knew when He would call Najee home. Najee is preceded in death by his late paternal grandmother Doris Hollins, his dad Elder Charles Bircher and his mother Kimberly Ford-Bircher. Najee is survived by his father Waymon Keith Woods; his loving siblings, Cora Mayes (Richard), Michael Bircher (Donella), Nora Bircher, Robin Bircher, Johnathan Bircher (Melissa), Jaleel Ross, Jeanita Bircher, Shardey Sillemon, Kenitria Bircher (Percy), Vonittta Woods, Keith Anthony, Josiah and Wayman Keith Woods Jr; his aunts Denisha (Neece) Hollins, Vernon (Pooh) Hollins, Jacqueline Tidwell, Gwendolyn Woods; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and associates. He was loved by all who came in contact with him.