Deja Armoni Lucia 'Birdie' Ackerman

Deja Armoni Lucia Ackerman was born to Tyrone Lamont Ackerman and Karen Jackson on September 6, 1995 at The Ohio State University Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Answering to every nickname given, she was affectionately called, ma, mama, mama lukes, bird, birdie, princess, and dej. Her parents instilled in her confidence, individuality, respect and love. These values ran through Deja’s mind, heart and spirit. Early on, her parents noticed the zest for life she had in her. This shining princess was ready to involve herself in any and everything she could in life. Singing all the songs she heard on the radio with her radiant voice, Deja enjoyed singing as a child. Her passion for singing led her to audition for American Idol when they came to Columbus, Ohio. She adored animals, especially her African Sicklet Bino Cockatiel Sweetie and Shih Tzu Roxy. Barney was one of her favorite television shows as a little girl. She loved to watch movies like The Five Heartbeats, The Temptations, Selena and many more, which she watched repetitiously. When Deja was young, she took ballet and tap at Pinnell Dance Studio in Gahanna. She absolutely loved recital time because she had the opportunity to dress up and wear makeup. An avid sports enthusiast, she played soccer and was on an all-girls basketball team. Being an only child, she cherished playing and spending time with her cousins and friends, having epic sleepovers and extravagant birthday parties, all of which we all remember today. The holidays were extra special to her as she spent most of them with family in Canton, Cleveland, and New York. Deja, Karen, and Tyrone enjoyed exciting road trips, having a blast at Disney World, exploring many attractions in New York, and visiting family in South Carolina. Deja was a social butterfly. She had many friends and wanted all her friends to get along with each other. Deja was beautiful in appearance and beautiful in her soul. One to take her appearance seriously, she loved to snap fashionable pictures and always had her hair done! Always in the mirror, she spent many hours’ flat ironing, rodding and curling her hair. Her educational tenure started at Alpine Elementary School. Following elementary school, she attended Woodward Park Middle School, Saint James the Less Catholic School, DeSales Catholic High School; and was a graduate of Beechcroft High School. During her school days she enjoyed many extracurricular activities such as, acting as a crossing safety guard, running track, and was a part of the flag team. Deja furthered her education at Heritage College, where she received a certification as a Medical Assistant. She was eager to make her own money so she could have a cell phone, expensive hair, and a car; so, she started working at McDonalds, where she met a lot of great friends. Deja was passionate about helping others. She started her career in home healthcare and appreciated all of her clients and took exceptional care of them. Her heart and soul went into work. On Tuesday, March 22, 2016, Deja peacefully slipped into the hands of God, “Not my will God, but Yours be done.” As an organ donor, she has given life to several people and Deja will live on in them. She was preceded in death by her brother, Justice Moore; grandfathers, Lloyd Jackson, Jr. and Tyrone Ackerman; great-grandparents, Lloyd Jackson, Sr. and Carrie Will Jackson, Garfield Sykes, Sr. and Susanne Sykes and Thelma Ackerman and Riddic Ackerman. Remaining to cherish the essence of her life, her loving parents, Karen Ackerman and Tyrone Ackerman; siblings, Keimonte Ackerman and Tyrone Ackerman, II; grandmothers, Lucille Jackson and Linda Ackerman; aunts, Kimberly (Jamal) Inker, Joshette (Aaron) Jackson, Bonnie (Thomas) Lawrence, Kimbal Ackerman, and Jasmin Ackerman; uncles, Terrence (Betty) Ackerman and Ledell Banks; great aunts, Doris Ackerman, Cassandra Ackerman, Ollie Pearson, Ida Williams, Lillie Sue Sykes, and Helen McKinney; great uncles, Garfield Sykes, Henry Jackson, and James Smith; special cousins, Taylor Inker, Jayshon Jackson, Aaron Perkins, Jr., Faith Perkins, Jarron Perkins, Jayshon Jackson, Jr., Corey Jackson, Jasmine Lawrence, Eric Mitchell, Ayana Davis, Anasia Davis, Keyon Davis, Jordon Ackerman, Terrence Ackerman, Jr., Terrell Ackerman, Latrell Ackerman, Quanell Ackerman, Saniya Ackerman, Ariania Ackerman, Cameron Banks, and Channing Banks; special friend Marlin Reynolds; and a host of great-great aunts, great-great uncles, other cousins and many caring friends.