Cheers for Ja’Braya

A scholarship will be set up in her name to benefit of local cheerleaders.

By SEAN BARRON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

YOUNGSTOWN — “We talked about everything. Ja’Braya knows more about me than anyone on Earth.”

That partly describes the close, nearly lifelong relationship between Mikyesha Sherman and her cousin Ja’Braya S. Merchant-Howell.

Mikyesha, an East High School 10th-grader, shared several memories and stories relating to her cousin after a morning worship service Saturday to remember, honor and celebrate the life of Ja’Braya, 16, an 11-grader at East who died Oct. 21 after collapsing during cheerleading practice.

The Mahoning County coroner’s office hasn’t issued an official ruling on the cause of death, said Ja’Braya’s father, Michael Howell Sr.

An estimated 400 friends, family members and other loved ones filled the L.E. Black Phillips & Holden Funeral Home, at 1951 McGuffey Road on the city’s East Side, for the service. Among the mourners were the 14 members of the East High cheerleading squad as well as cheerleaders from Chaney and other area high schools.

Mikyesha remembered that when she was 5 or 6, one of Ja’Braya’s dogs bit Mikyesha, causing her to cry. In response, Ja’Braya placed her cousin on her back, took Mikyesha to the basement and assured the youngster that everything would be OK, she said.

Asha Thomas met Ja’Braya when Asha joined the East cheerleading squad and the two quickly became close friends. Ja’Braya was energetic and loved to dance, laugh and have her picture taken. One of her favorite sayings was “Run dat back,”which she used mainly at football games, Asha recalled.

“I feel like I knew her forever,” Asha added.

Ja’Braya loved to attend water and amusement parks, so the family spent last New Year’s Eve at an indoor facility in Sandusky, Michael Howell said. Ja’Braya and her family went several times each year to Cedar Point and other such parks, her father added.

During one such outing, Ja’Braya’s mother, Crystal, remembered holding onto a raft because she couldn’t swim. Nevertheless, Ja’Braya playfully sneaked up and knocked her off the flotation device in shallow water.

“She’s got this annoying laugh, but I’ll miss that laugh,” her mother said, adding that their home was nearly always filled with company.

Ja’Braya, her siblings and parents enjoyed “family night out” every two weeks, and bowling was another of Ja’Braya’s passions. Family members broke into teams, with money both parents set aside being awarded to the top finishers, Michael Howell recalled.

The elder Howell said that family was of paramount importance to his daughter, and that he’s thankful to have attended her last cheerleading effort during a Pink Ribbon Day event at Youngstown State University for breast cancer awareness.

“I’m just happy she did what she wanted to do,” he said, adding that Ja’Braya’s next goal was to take a driving test and obtain her license by Christmas.

Even though the last 10 days have been filed with sorrow, Michael Howell continued, he takes comfort in knowing Ja’Braya “touched a lot of lives in the community,” largely because of her fun-loving personality.

Howell wished to thank the community for its support, as well as the Boardman High School Spartans and several other softball teams, the Western Reserve Transit Authority and Sutton’s Motor Coach Tours & Travel in Boardman for raising money on behalf of the family.

“We were blessed” to have her, Crystal Howell said. “I lost a best friend, not just a daughter. It hurts to see her gone.”

Mourners filled every chapel in the funeral home to hear the 90-minute service, which featured numerous tributes, songs, poems, Bible readings and fond recollections.

One speaker was Annie Terry, advisor for the East cheerleading team, who said she hopes the loss will change area youth in positive ways. Many feel they’re invincible, so, it is hoped, Ja’Braya’s death will help them see the preciousness of life, she said.

“When you love someone, tell them,” she implored. “Don’t put off today for tomorrow.”

Terry noted that she’s setting up a scholarship in Ja’Braya’s name to benefit area cheerleaders. Donations can be sent in care of Terry to East High School, 474 Bennington Ave., Youngstown 44505.

The funeral service also included performances by Symphony, a Youngstown-based quartet, which gave its version of “Say Goodbye,” by the popular R&B group Boys 2 Men. The four also sang “Storm & Rain,” to the melody of “Can You Stand the Rain” by New Edition, another well-known R&B group.

Ja’Braya was interred at Belmont Cemetery on Belmont Avenue in Liberty Township. Family and friends gathered afterward at the Buckeye Elks Lodge 73 on North Avenue to celebrate her life.