Shukura Rashida Farrar-Chihota

Shukura Rashida Farrar-Chihota was born October 27, 1981 in Mt. Holly, New Jersey. As a child, Shukura and her family resided in Willingboro, New Jersey (1981-1984) and Kent, Washington (1984-1989), before moving to Gahanna, Ohio, where she attended and eventually graduated from the Gahanna City school district. Shukura could be described as a vibrant, vivacious young lady, who didn't allow herself to be defined by common societal norms. When she was a young girl, she had a love for athletics. Among them was gymnastics; however, Shukura became a hometown hero as a player in the Gahanna Little League Baseball association. She later received the Gahanna Lincoln High School Freshman Award for Softball during the 1996-1997 school year. Additionally, Shukura was a skilled BMX (Bicycle Motocross) rider, rating #1 in her class at the state level, and twice rated #3 in her class at the national level. She was also a two-time participant in the BMX World Championships. Among her many other accomplishments, Shukura received the Certificate of Distinction from the Model Arab League in 1998; and, for teaching how to become a Peacemaker at Peace School, The Old First Presbyterian Church awarded her with a Certificate of Appreciation in 2002. With a heart for helping and caring for others, Shukura was actively pursuing a career in Nursing before she became ill. She had been enrolled at Fortis College, School of Nursing and was working as a Patient Care Assistant (PCA) at The Ohio State University's Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital. She had also earned a Certificate of Medical Billing and Coding from the American School of Technology. Shukura was a member of Oakley Full Gospel Baptist Church, and often performed missionary work, sharing her faith and her gifts beyond the walls of her church home. She always brought a ray of sunshine and laughter to her loved ones and friends. At the age of 30, after boldly facing her ongoing health issues with courage and grace, Shukura was called to her eternal rest on Saturday, September 8, 2012 at Mt. Carmel Hospital West. She was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Geraldine Siler and Royland Siler, paternal grandparents, Bonnie Farrar and Thomas Farrar, Sr., and an aunt Brenda Alston. Those who remain to cherish many special memories of Shukura include her husband William Chihota, and stepdaughter Natasha Chihota, of Columbus, Ohio; parents, George and Concheata Farrar of Gahanna, Ohio; brother Jabari (Mi Jung) Farrar of Lillington, North Carolina; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives, and friends. Celebration of Life 2 p.m., Thursday, September 13, 2012 in the chapel of DIEHL-WHITTAKER FUNERAL SERVICE, 720 E. Long Street, where the family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the start of service. Pastor Jonathan McReynolds, officiating. The interment will take place in the Oakland-McCrary Cemetery, Ramseur, North Carolina, under the direction of Farrar Funeral Home, Siler City, North Carolina.