Latifa Wabbington

Latifa Elise Wabbington was born on January 5, 1986, in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was greatly loved as the first grandchild on both sides of her family. Her name means ‘pleasant and joyful’, one ‘consecrated unto God’…She was that and more.

Latifa never met a stranger. She cared about everyone and was often found encouraging or helping others in some capacity. Her joy was contagious. She loved to laugh and was artistic, performing at Future World Productions in her early days. Latifa was also a health enthusiast — working at her grandma Shirley’s Health Food Store in high school taught her to appreciate her own health and share her wisdom with others, including her children.

Latifa had multiple career endeavors. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2015, with a major in Sociology. She also had an excellent memory for numeric data which allowed her to become proficient in other academic endeavors. At heart, she was an entrepreneur — delving into the re-sale business, rehabbing and managing property and at times assisting with the family business. She also worked as a residential counselor at Job Corps. During her last few years of life, she enjoyed working for the VA as care-giver for her two grandfathers. She truly loved them — as she did all her family.

Latifa’s greatest love was her children. She was rarely seen without them — playing in a nearby park, shooting basketball or playing volleyball at home, taking them to a variety of sports, theatre practices and/or games, tutoring, cooking or

teaching them to pray. She was tireless…but often laughing and using her sharp wit to make what could be tedious, fun! She was affectionately known as “Mama Bear”.

Latifa was also community minded. She served on the Headstart Board, was involved in neighbor-hood improvement projects and supported charitable endeavors such as Compassion International — via donations and on-going family correspondence. She was also an advocate for justice, resisting bullies and fighting for what was right — even in childhood. This was especially true for family…no sibling could come under attack without her staunch defense…a trait that remained throughout her life.

Last but not least, Latifa loved the Lord. She said, “I attend a different church but Zion is my home”. She also supported other ministries e.g. Zions Fire of Revival and International Revival Campaigns (IRC). She became a woman of prayer, praise and worship — teaching her children to do so as well.

Latifa Wabbington is survived by: her five child-ren, Maraya Wabbington, Bahiya Dean, Basilia Dean, Belana Dean and Maddock Dean; parents, Vuncia (Frederick) Council and Johnnie (Kapathia) Wabbington; siblings, Dr. Jemila Council, Cole Council and John Wabbington; her grandfather, Henry (Rita) Merrick; aunts and uncles, Minister Valdasia Merrick, Valynda (Ronald Wayne) Mitchell, Vernadine Merrick and Hank Merrick, Veronica Wabbington, Yvonne Wabbington, Scherrie Wabbington and Atty. Claude Council; cousins, Ronald (Latoya) Mitchell and Darlisha Mitchell; and beloved family and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Latifa Wabbington, please visit our floral store.