John DuBois Conway

In loving memory of John DuBois Conway, aka, John DuBois Conway, Jr., Yahya Shabazz or Babba Yahya, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and uncle.

Johnny, as he was also affectionately known, was born on August 27, 1950 in the 'EL Barrio', Spanish Harlem, borough of Manhattan, in New York City, New York, as the first son and third of four children born to John Dubois Conway, Sr. and Helen Louise Coates Conway. He took his final rest on May 28, 2025 at the age of 74 in Baltimore, Maryland. The funeral service was held on June 13, 2025 at the Capitol Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church in Washington, D.C.

John attended Public School # 57 as his Elementary School in Spanish Harlem, Manhattan, New York City.  While in high school he relocated to Washington D.C. and graduated from Gonzaga College High School and attended American University, Howard University, and the University of the District of Columbia in Washington, DC In 1969 he married Helen Jackson (nee Murray, formerly Conway). Their children are: Dr. Rebecca Baqiyyah Nilija Conway (nee Baqiyyah Nilija X Conway), Malik Conway, and Isa Conway. Niamki Rasheed Stewart, his fourth child and third son, was born to him and Khalilah Ali (nee Erin Stewart). Jabari Exum, his fifth child and fourth son, was born to him and Evelyn J. Exum.  He was later married to Donna Campbell-Conway.

John was a gifted writer.  He loved to write long personal letters, poems and essays. He often wrote these specifically for his children and family members.  He loved jazz, blues and gospel music.  In childhood he was known within the family as "Johnny Mathias" for his smooth, silky-toned voice.  He also loved to play the drums in childhood and as an adult.  He drummed in childhood as a member of the African American Drummer and Dancers of New York City.  

John had various occupations throughout his career including that of a baker, store manager, food vendor, realtor, most of these for which he was self-employed. One of his first occupations was that of Store Manager and Baker of Shabazz Bean Pies. in Washington, DC. He later opened his own bakery. Yahya had a great love for Entrepreneurship.  Among his many endeavors were successful projects in Real Estate.  He spent most of the last thirty-seven years of his life as a realtor and landlord in Baltimore, Maryland - his lifelong love and dream career.  He also loved tutoring and mentoring children in his community.  After moving to Baltimore, he volunteered as a mentor to children in Baltimore, helping them with safe walking routes to school and tutoring them afterschool. 

Preceding him in death are his father John Dubois Conway, Sr., his stepmother Sarah Conway, his mother Helen Louise Coates Conway, his stepfather Wilson Jerman, his brother James Martin Conway, his sister Barbara Louise Conway Prince, his step- brother Dennis Jerman, his former wife Donna Campbell-Conway, and Evelyn Jendayi Exum the mother of his youngest son Jabari Exum.

He is survived by his five children, Dr. Rebecca Baqiyyah Nilija Conway (nee Baqiyyah Nilija X Conway), Malik Conway (Pascha Barnwell-Conway), Isa Conway (Alecia), Niamki Rasheed Stewart, Jabari Exum, his sister Judith Conway, his step- sisters Joyce Elaine Garrett, Linda Taylor, Angela Davis, his step-brother Christopher Jerman, his former wife Dr. Helen Jackson, Dr. Khallilah Ali, his brother-in-law Leothon Prince, and a plethora of grandchildren and great grand-children.