
D’mazana Zion Lumukanda was born 10/14/2010 in Laurel, MD, to the parents of D’Mazana V Lumukanda and Chaunita Clardy. D’Mazana suffered HIE (loss of oxygen to the brain) during birth, which resulted in a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy.From the first day of his life, D’Mazana proved to be a little warrior. He fought and worked hard to achieve all of his accomplishments.Doctors gave him only hours to live with no hope of recovery. His prognosis was that of a vegetative state. Initially, we were told he was “A Beautiful House with no Plumbing.” However, he proved repeatedly, that his plumbing was working; he would not succumb to their limitations.D’mazana was affectionally known as Zion, Baby D, Lil D’maz, Poops, and Bear. He had an infectious smile, was full of shenanigans, and a jokester. You could not let that bright personality fool you! He had a quarrelsome side and had no problem letting you know when he was irritated, mad, or done with you. He was very social and always wanted to get involved and be a part of the action. D’mazana thrived!D’mazana was intelligent and inquisitive. His thirst for knowledge allowed him to excel in both physical, cognitive, and mental development.D’mazana was homeschooled through The Armor Academy and attended The Ivy mount School. He was a Cub Scout and a part of Cub Scott Pack 1675. D’Mazana loved to read. He had a serious collection of books with a broad range of topics. In the beginning, some of his favorite books were, ‘Five Little Monkeys and the ‘Swift Walker”” series. D’mazana’s love for books grew and the extent of his reading included various subjects with complex material. He discovered his love of animals through reading, especially his love for birds and dogs.D’mazana loved to be entertained. He enjoyed attending live theatre-music excited him! He would listen to various genres, such as Jazz, R&B, and Hip Hop. Some of his favorite artists were Michael Jackson and Drake.Sporting events were one of his favorite activities. He loved sports and played soccer and basketball. D’mazana enjoyed swimming, playing in the water, and a good soak in the hot tub. He especially loved to wrestle with his Dad.D’mazana was a world traveler. He loved to experience new adventures, cities, countries, and cultures. When D’mazana went to amusement parks, his first stop would be the roller coaster rides. He enjoyed playing with his cars and action figures. He loved superheroes, Spider-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy with “”Rocket”” being his favorite Avenger. He also tuned into the Spider-Verse/Miles Morales.D’Mazana loved all his family. He especially loved and did not play about his “”Nana”” and she did not play about him as they shared a special bond. We often joked and said Nana was his favorite person. He grew up with his cousin Madison, but they were more like brother and sister.D’Mazana transitioned from this earthly life suddenly on November 10, 2020, in his Mother’s arms. Everyone will miss him. He leaves to cherish his memories his parents D’Mazana V Lumukanda and Chaunita Clardy, his beloved”” Nana”” Essia Faye Jones, his cousin/sister Madison Smith, paternal grandfather Kokavulu Lumukanda, maternal grandparents Frank and Judith Clardy, Uncle Justin (Keisha) Smith, Uncle Sidney Bennett, Uncle Atingwe Lumukanda,Uncle Nabio Lumukanda, Uncle Kadinga Lumukanda, Uncle Shemazo (Neha) Lumukanda, Aunt Tanefer(Yetto) Camara, Aunt Jackie (Marcellus) Major, Aunt Cherilyn Clardy, Aunt Cherie( Ben) Miller, Aunt Cheneen Clardy, Uncle Frank( Michelle) Clardy, Uncle Stephen Clardy, Uncle Brandon Jones, his cousins Maxwell, Shayde, Destenee, Daylon, Lauren, Grant, Caleb, Caden, Komari, Niari, Tajiri, Zeynab, Maimouna, Esangu, and Shyam and a host of relatives and friends. He was proceeded in death by his Paternal grandmother Zuzeni Lumukanda, cousin Levi Clardy, and his Godmother Maria Clemons.The family will unite on Sunday , November 22,2020 from 12:00pm until time of service at 1:00pm at Briscoe-Tonic Funeral Home, 2294 Old Washington Rd. Waldorf, MD. Interment is Private.https://youtu.be/d7u0XnYul7o
I had the pleasure of knowing D’mazana in a way not many did. Yes, he had a contagious smile. And a sweet disposition. And amazing hair. As a speech therapist whoworked with D’mazana on his communication skills, I had the unique pleasureof sitting and chatting with D’mazanafor hours every week when he was in town for intensives. During this time, I foundhim to be silly, sarcastic, sweet, loving, kind and yes, even sometimes demanding (he had a penchant for telling me to “hurry up!”). D’mazana loved to talk about animals. During one conversation, we discussed the following: D’mazana: I’M TELLING YOU SOMETHING + IT’S TIME TO + DO SOMETHING ELSE + ANIMALS + DOGS Ali: I would love to talk about dogs. What size? D’mazana: SMALL Ali: What color?D’mazana: RED Ali: How about the dachshund?D’mazana: NOT Ali: Ok. Brussels Griffon? D’mazana: (*big smile*)Ali: Great! He’s cute! What do you think?D’mazana: LET’S GO + HOMEAli:Are you saying you want to take him home?D’mazana: (raised hand for yes) Ali: I agree. He’s cute!
And in addition to dogs, D’mazana also loved birds. One day while we were discussing different types of birds, we had the following conversation: D’mazana: HELP + YOUAli: Sure- you can help me.D’mazana: SAY + WANT Ali: Sure, I can show you what the birds says (showed pictures and discussed bird some more) D’mazana: COLORS + DARK+ FEELS + ROUGHAli: Perhaps his beak and feet are rough. His body looks soft. (more discussion about bird) D’mazana: SIZE + BIG Ali: The brown headed one is definitely bigger than the pygmy, true.D’mazana: PAGE BACK + I LIKE THIS + FAVORITE + YOU + SMART Ali: Thank you but I’m cheating…I’m just reading off the website. I don’t really know all these things about birds! I’m sure you know more than I do.
D’mazana was a child with thoughts deeper than those which he was able to express and ideas more grand than we may ever know. Our world has lost a gentle, patient, thoughtful soul. Rest easy, D’mazana. You are now free to sing your own birdsong.
I first met Lil D’maz when I came to MD for a visit in 2017. We spent some time together at Mama Fay’s when I moved here a year later. We talked, sang, and laughed along to his favorite shows. We even had story time. You have definitely left an imprint on my heart. CC and D’Maz, your strength is encouraging. My regards and love to the family.