Zikeya Carleen Lester

Zikeya Carleen Lester, age 21, became an Angel with the Lord on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 when she passed away at the Albany Medical Center with her loving family at her side. Born in Staten Island, New York on January 11, 1995, Zikeya was the daughter of Phillip L. Gilbert and Christina S. Lester. She was raised in Syracuse and attended Henninger High School. She loved her school, her classmates, and the sporting activities of “The Black Knights”. In 2013 Zikeya moved to Utica and from then on, she called it home. Zikeya had a passion for hair styling, and in spite of her physical affliction with arthritis, she provided beauty services for all her family members and friends and kept them “in good check”. She was skilled in braiding and styling and could “hook you up”. Her brother was the man who dictated the pricing for her do’s. Zikeya was a busy body, but that was part of the charm of her “just being Zye”. She had a great sense of humor and she loved to laugh. Her one-liners brought joy to the hearts of everyone who knew and loved her. Her phone was a mode of communication and it was always by her side. She shared her life through photos and postings on Facebook, detailing each day’s activities. For her speed and accuracy, she was the reigning “texting Queen Bee”. She was also a shining star when it came to fixing and fine-tuning cell phones, setting preferences, and installing favorite apps. Zye had a true sense of fashion and wore it well, often giving fashion tips to friends and family. She had a bold style and when she got her hair done, and put her face on, she felt alive and beautiful. She loved when Grandma brought her a bag of clothes and she claimed them all to be her own. Her great-grandma Lester called her “baby girl” and they spent time together watching TV and catching up on family stuff. She had her grandpa wrapped around her finger and loved it when he made her favorite meal, Mac & Cheese. Cookouts were her favorite times with family. She named herself the “UNO Queen” and could demand a game at anytime. And when it came to cell phone games, hands down she was the master. Everyone will remember the first time she went to the casino and won! A good day for Zye was filled with her favorite TV shows, Lovin Hip Hop and Empire, and a meal from McDonalds. She was her momma’s baby and they were best friends. She was her grandma and grandpa’s little girl and the daughter they never had. Zye was a strong, steadfast, and loving young lady who never complained. No matter how sick she may have been, she was constantly concerned about her family. As the eldest of 8 siblings, she was the go-to sister, and she would find a way to make things straight. Zikeya was a juvenile arthritic and was recently diagnosed with Lupus which she fought with great determination. She was always grateful to wake up and live another day. She attended the House of God Church and she knew how to pray. Her family finds comfort in knowing that she is now renewed and happy in her heavenly home, where she is able to walk, and “shop till she drops”. Zikeya is survived by her mom, Christina Lester-Ware and her dad James Ware; her father, Phillip Gilbert; grandparents, Ernestine Gilbert-George and her husband Derrick George; and Warren Kemp; great-grandmother, Willie Mae Lester, great-grandfather, Carl Lester, Sr.; her siblings and their loves, James Ware, III and fiancee Shenia McKenie, Niashia Ware, Tatyina Ware, Jan’zeir Johnson, Aliayia Johnson, Loyalty Jones, Eddie Jones, James Ware Jr., Keyshawn Ware, Marquish Ware, Shamya Hammett, and Lamika Hammett. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles, and great-aunts and great-uncles. She had a great impact upon her close friends, Ray-Ray, Latoya, Eric, and Ray-Drake, who she loved as her siblings; godmother Sandra Blackshear; godsister Lanice Blackshear; and an adoring audience of people who simply loved her. She was predeceased by her grandmother, Carleen Lester. The family is grateful to the staff of the Albany Medical Center, the physicians, nurses, and personnel of D3/ICU who were amazing, loving people; Elder Mary Hawkins who brought spirit and hope to the moments; and the Ronald McDonald House staff for offering hospitality and a second home to the family. The kindness and compassion of everyone involved in caring for Zye was a blessing. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 21, from 10:00 -12:00 noon at the House of God Church, 1304 Genesee Street. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Zikeya’s funeral service and Home Going Celebration which will commence at 12:00 noon at the church with Elder Mary Hawkins/Pastor, eulogizing. Zye will be laid to rest in Forest Hill Cemetery. “Till we meet again…”

Zikeya Carleen Lester

January 11, 1995 - September 13, 2016