Shakeerah Janta Garretson

Shakeerah Janta Garretson was born August 7, 1984 in Beth Israel Hospital in Newark, New Jersey to the late Janet Lee Garretson and David Garretson. She eagerly attended the Jersey City Public Schools; Charles J. Watters P.S. #24 (1998) and Lincoln High School, in which she completed in 2002. While in high school she was a member of the JROTC, Peer Leaders and track team. With great aspiration and strong determination she desired to be a teacher as her mother had been. In 2003 she began to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education at Hudson County Community College where she excelled in her classes. Shakeerah was a gifted writer, storyteller and had a natural kinship with children. Shakeerah was loved by all those she came across. Home was essential to her and she demonstrated her unselfish love, by placing her own dreams on hold to care for her mother. At the time of her death she had re-enrolled in college and 12 credits short of her degree. She had a beautiful soul, who saw no boundaries. A comedienne at heart she often had those around her laughing. She was extremely bright and accepted all people. Shakeerah was a friend to many, her best times were spent with her sister, Shakimiah and her best friends, Gina, Tahiyya, Chris and family. She leaves to cherish her memories: her loving father, David Garretson; a devoted sister, Shakimiah Garretson; her grandfather, Joe Barr, Sr. of Newark, NJ; aunts, Linda Cunnigham (Joe) of Nesmith, SC and Regina Barr (James) of Newark, NJ; uncles, Joe Barr, Jr. (Yvette) of Newark, NJ, William Garretson, Jerry Garretson and Alan Garretson all of Newark, NJ; special friend, Willie Thomas of Jersey City, NJ; uncle, James Johnson (Yvonne) of Roselle, NJ; aunts, Katherine Barr of Newark, NJ, Maryanne Barr, Sherry Pressly and Christina Wilson all of Nesmith, SC; special aunts, Denise Davis, Beatrice Green, Bridget Green and Benita Green all of Newark, NJ; special cousins, Yolanda Whitfield, Alan Thomas, Nahlah Garretson, Danielle Watson Garretson, Ivy Barr all of Newark, NJ, Tianna Barr, Nicole Cunningham, Crystal Wilson and De'shawn Wilson all of Nesmith, SC; loyal friends, Regina Bradley, Christopher Smith, Tahiyya Sulaiman, Chantal Goodrum, Tyise Highsmith, Monica Reed, and Tyquan Clark all of Jersey City, NJ; and a host of relatives and friends. To send a Life Tribute or Condolences to the Garretson family, please click the "Sign Guestbook" link below.