Kariamu Micere "Kay" Samples-Smart

On August 31, 2024, Kariamu "Kay" Micere Samples-Smart, age 31, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Houston, Texas of unknown causes. Born on March 24, 1993, in Hamilton, Ohio, Kay was adopted as an infant and spent her formative years in Bogota, NJ. She always felt the utmost gratitude to her birth family for placing her with adoptive parents who loved her unconditionally.
Kay was an exceptional child with a curious mind, boundless energy and incredible athleticism. She displayed an early gift for learning and attended several elementary schools in search of suitable intellectual and academic challenges. Finding none to fit the bill, Kariamu made the leap to boarding school in 7th grade. Her boarding school career began at Rumsey Hall School (Washington Depot, CT), where she graduated 9th grade in 2008. Kay attended secondary school at Williston Northampton School (Easthampton, MA), graduating in 2011.
Kay was a consummate athlete. Her love for the game of basketball began in elementary school and was unmatched. Her passion and skill for the sport was unparalleled and garnered admiration from players, parents and coaches alike since she first picked up a basketball. After years of competitive AAU basketball, Kay landed a Division I offer to play at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona, Florida.
In 2013, Kay enlisted in the United States Air Force where she served as a Civil Engineer for nearly four years. After leaving the armed services Kay found another passion and immense pride in sales, smart home technology and entrepreneurship. Kay set top sales records early in her career, a trend she maintained until her passing. In recent years, Kay had also established the first Female-Veteran owned and operated Home Improvement business in Spring, TX. She took great pride in helping others through the work she did each day as both an employee and an entrepreneur.
Kay was kind, joyful, enthusiastic, and funny. She had a natural charisma and genuine charm that could never be faked. Kay worked and loved hard, giving of herself freely in each regard. She reveled in all things Star Wars, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and, especially, the game of basketball.
Kay is survived by her parents Dr. Faith Samples-Smart and Leon Smart; her brothers, Khari and Akil Smart; her paternal grandmother, Nicole Smart; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who cared for and will miss her deeply.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations in Kay's name be made to: K9s for Warriors www.k9sforwarriors.org/financial-donation/
A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Costa Memorial Home, Boulevard & Central Ave. Hasbrouck Heights, NJ.