De'Andre "Didi" Maghakewih Berry-Samba

De'Andre "Didi" Maghakewih Berry-Samba, age 4, passed away on December 5, 2023.  

De’Andre Maghakewih Berry-Samba was born on May 16, 2019, in Columbus - Ohio. He was the last-born child with two older sisters and survived by his father, mother, two sisters, aunts and uncles, cousins, great grandmother, great grand aunties, and uncles as well as close family friends.

De’Andre was a young energetic lad who knew how to care for everyone who came close to him, loved unconditionally, loved the outdoor so he could play, prayed when he understood how to and had a charm which attracted lots of people to his personality. With his mother and father being constantly gone for work, he depended mostly on the guidance and support from his grandmother (Marielda Nangah), his two sisters - Skylar and Zeena, big brother Mike as well as his aunts, uncles, cousins, and grand aunts.

Didi was full of life, and we never had a dull moment when he was around. A great smart kid with an eye for fashion, loved spiderman and black panther as superhero characters but at the same time was traumatized by spiders, which made an irony. His favorite color was blue and green. He loved and adored his family dearly and expressed concern and care for everyone. He never wanted anyone sad or lonely and checked on everybody to make sure they were Ok. Didi loved to dance from when he knew how to stand and walk. He could never get away from his milk and French fries. He articulated well for his age and held great conversations with everyone. He was quite a helping hand around the house and liked to clean and make sure his space stays orderly and clean. Didi loved to travel and hang out particularly with his mother.

When Didi started going to school, he loved it and woke up every morning excited to go to school so he can see his teachers and friends. He always tried to be on his best behavior and kept looking forward to every birthday, vacation, family gathering, Christmas, thanksgiving etc.

Even at such tender age, Didi knew what he wanted to become when he grew up. He dreamed of being a firefighter when he grew up, so he could put out fires and make sure people are safe.

Though not well known by most people, to us his family, he was that one special child sent from God and because of his caring nature, he could not let Grandma be by herself and sacrificed his life to be with her till their end.

“I will make good choices Mummy” was one of the last commitments he told his mother.  Hallas, he did make the good choice to go to the Lord with his favorite Grandma.

Preceded in death: His grandfather – Achu Samba Francis and his grandmother – Marielda Nangah who he sacrificed his life for.  They died in each other’s arms.

Survived by: His father, mother, two sisters, two aunts, two uncles, eight cousins, great grandmother, two grand aunts and lots of close family friends and loved ones.

Our gratitude to everyone who has supported our family during this time: Bishop Earl K Fernandes, Father Milton Kiocha, Father Patrick Watikha, Cotner Funeral Home, Saint Pius X Church, Saint Pius X Elementary School, The Holy Cross Cemetery, St Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, St Vincent de Paul, Messiah Lutheran Church, The Way to Battle Organization, The Reynoldsburg Community and many loved ones, family, and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Pius the X Catholic Church, 1051 South Waggoner Road, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068 on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. 

Burial will follow his funeral mass at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 11539 National Road SW, Pataskala, Ohio 43062.

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