SFC Yolanda L. N'Gaojia

Funeral services with full military honors for SFC Yolanda L. N'Gaojia 52, of Killeen, TX will be held Saturday, April 2, 2022, 12:00 p.m. at Pershing Park Baptist Church in Killeen, TX.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 1, 2022 (6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.) at Chisolm's Family Funeral Home in Killeen, TX. 

Burial will be held Monday, April 4, 2022, 10:00 a.m. at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, TX. 

Ms. N'Gaojia passed away March 22, 2022, in Killeen, TX. 

Yolanda Lynn Ewell N’Gaojia was the third born of the late Patricia Ann Montgomery (bonus father Ernest Montgomery), and the late James Edward Ewell Sr. She was born on 29 Dec 1969 in Chicago, Illinois. Although she often joked about having two birthdays of 29 & 30 Dec 1969, because the “military always had the incorrect date (30 Dec).” She spent many childhood and teenage years growing up in New Orleans, Louisiana; she grew to love spending her birthdays and New Year's there as well.

Yolanda received her education at Marion Abramson High School, New Orleans, LA., and further enrolled in pursuit of her Baccalaureate degree in Human Resource Management at Trident University making the Dean’s List, as she advanced throughout her military career.

At an early age on 16 Jan 1992, she was united in holy matrimony to Kineh Sam N’Gaojia (Erica) in which three children were born: Qur’an Kineh James N’Gaojia (Khaliyqa), the late Amir Tajai-Kineh N’Gaojia (Avianna), and Sierra Maxine Simone N’Gaojia (Robert). They were married for 11 years. However, they remained the best of friends, and formed a co-parenting relationship as they continued to raise their children.

Yolanda continued her journey in life and love with her fiancé Herbert McIver III, as she planned to retire from the military in 2022, and just “enjoy life, travel, and create memories with her loved ones.” She often said “I just want to be happy and do right by people in life, because I never want anything to come back to me that I treated anyone wrong. I want all of my blessings now.” She often planted seeds of wisdom and knowledge in everyone that crossed her path.

Yolie was a beautiful, selfless, humble, supportive, giving, loving, intelligent, strong, fearless, Queen in every essence. She lived her life to love and protect her children and those close to her. She was the head of the village that kept so many pieces of the family puzzle together. She was always the life of the family events, and celebrations. She was known for hosting Thanksgiving dinner, Sunday dinner, and planning family
vacations. She always wanted her children to see the world in order to grow in life.

Her greatest joy and strength in life will always be her three children: Qur’an, Sierra, and Amir (She called them the Secret Society- 3 Amigos), and her grandchildren Alayah and Amiyah (Mi Mi’s girls). She often informed everyone that Sierra was the boss of the two brothers & kept their secrets. Their bond was unbreakable!!!

Although she birthed three children, she was the village that raised and provided for so many more children, family and friends in life. Her home was always open to provide a meal, or merely a different type of love that wasn’t received anywhere else.

She has mentored young women and men throughout her career, and continued to encourage all, through her life experiences, as a woman, mother, grandmother and soldier. She was dedicated to her role as a Non-Commissioned Officer, and continued to educate, motivate, and guide soldiers to aid in processes to build their knowledge, skills, and values while assisting them in being more proficient.

In addition, Yolanda remained diligent in assisting leadership with implementing and improving processes to meet the mission and needs of the United States Army and Army National Guard.

She loved her family, friends, music, fashion, traveling, watching the News, shows like Chicago PD, scary movies with the lights on, pancakes, coffee, steak, pork chops, sausage po-boys, bbq, potato salad, and cooking for her family. She would often visit places that brought her closer to those she loved - New Orleans, Georgia, Florida, Indianapolis, Chicago, Houston, California, SaltGrass Steakhouse, and Pluckers!

She honorably served for the United States Army, as well as the United States Army Active National Guard in Austin, Texas as a Master Sergeant (posthumously) with a combined total of 20 plus years as a Petroleum Supply Specialist (92F) and later as a Human Resources Specialist Non-Commissioned Officer (42A). She stood strongly by the Army Core Values on and off duty.

She humbly and proudly served her country for over 20 years at the following assignments: 101st Information Operations Battalion, 71st Theatre Information Operations Group (Battalion S1 Non-Commisioned Officer), 101st Information Operations Battalion (Senior Human Resources Sergeant, Battalion S1 NCOIC), HHC 36th Sustainment Brigade (Assistant Battalion S1), 36th Special Troops Battalion (S1 Non-Commisioned Officer), HHD 449th AG DET (Human Resources Sergeant), HHC 1st Military Intelligence Battalion (Human Resources Specialist), and 29th Supply and Service Company (Postal Clerk).

In addition, she has two overseas tours in Germany, and two combat deployments in Iraq.

Her military awards consist of the following: Three Army Commendation Medals (ARCOM), Three Army Achievement Medals (AAM), Army Good Conduct Medals (AGCM), One National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), One Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC), Three Non-Commisioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons (NOPDR), One Army Service Ribbon (ASR), Two Overseas Service Ribbons (OSR), Two Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (ARCOT), One Armed Forces Reserve Medal (AFRMM), One Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
(GWTSM), and a Combat Action Badge.

Yolanda was preceded in death by her grandparents Kenneth Grayson & Maxine Grayson?Lester, father James Edward Ewell Sr., Mother Patricia Ann Montgomery; Mother-in-law Lula N’Gaojia; brother James Edward Ewell II; nephew James Edward Ewell III (Tre), Great nephew Jaxson Reed; son Amir Tajai-Kineh N’Gaojia; aunts Violet Grayson, Natasha Grayson, Denise Williamson, and stepson Herbert McIver IV.

She is survived by her supportive and loving fiancé Herbert McIver III; her greatest joys son Qur’an N’Gaojia (Khaliyqa), daughter Sierra N’Gaojia (Robert), grandchildren Alayah and Amiyah N’Gaojia; sister Catrice M. Grayson (Rickey); brother Lorenzo Grayson (Tisha); daughter in law Avianna N’Gaojia (bonus grandson Marciano Lambert); Father in law Joseph N’Gaojia (Sally), and bonus father Ernest Montgomery; all of whom she treasured.

In addition, our Queens life will forever be cherished and held dear to our hearts by the multitude of special loved ones close to her whom she is survived by: Uncle Larry Grayson (Lorraine); Uncle Charles Ewell; Uncle David Williamson (Dorothy); Aunt Yolanda Grayson Williams (Ron); Aunt Frieda Grayson (Jerry); Cousin aka Brothers/Sisters: Sir Lloyd Rawls, De’jha Grayson, Johnny Grayson, Twoyne Grayson, Janell Allen, Teon Brown, Valerie Knowles , and Theo & Pierre Willams, Mark N’Gaojia, Joey N’Gaojia, Kim Williamson, Sanchez Williamson, and Brandon Williamson. Bonus sisters: Kim Brown, Nina Armendarez, Shelly Arnold, Pamela Williams, Zenobia McGill, & LaLonnie Gillespie, Special nieces and nephews whom she loved, adored and was an instrumental part of their life and upbringing: Genequa Williams, Jeronte Reed, Hasan Grayson, Robert Grayson, Catrina Grayson, Canisha Grayson, Dywanna Grayson, Raven Grayson, Lorenzo Grayson Jr., Braneshia Williams, and Towaski Williams
Bonus children: Steven Gourdine, Jeremy Thibodeaux, Basim Eel, Lakeivan Carlisle, Robert (Bobby) Bates, Cherise Armendarez, Charlie Miller, Calema Stewart, and Khaziah Stewart. Three God Daughters/Nieces: Khadijah Ali, Damani Cunningham, & Dasmine Cunningham & GOD Son Khaziah Stewart. A host of other close family members and special friends.

She spent her last days beautifying her late son Amir’s burial site and traveling to spend time with her loved ones.

Our Queen Yolanda aka Yolie’s precious life will forever be celebrated, honored, cherished and lived on through her loved ones.

“Good morning Gorgeous”