Jamel’s legacy is a dream come through for our family. The passing of Jamel was a shock to us that devastated our family. Jamel was my best friend. We would reason together frequently, said Japheth. Japheth would go to Orlando on impromptu visits to have breakfast and share face-to-face time with his sons.
Jamel enjoyed this special bond with his father and looked forward to these visits. Every Tuesday night, he would wait expectantly for the call. Jamel would say, “dad would call every Tuesday night after the prayer meeting just to reason and share his thoughts.”
Dad described Jamel as an avid sports enthusiast. His favorite basketball team was the Miami Heats, of course, His favorite football team was the Philadelphia, and He loved track and field.
His stars included Elaine Thompson and Shelly-Ann Fraiser. He wagered between which of these ladies were his favorite but eventually settled on Elain Thompson because she was from Mandeville, his father’s hometown.
Jamel loved Asafa Powell, and his ardent desire was to meet him. He enjoyed playing basketball with his friends and brother and could be on the courts most Sunday mornings chopping it up with them. Jamel was a notorious trash talker, a health guru, and went to the gym religiously, almost five times a week. He was steadfast in his healthy lifestyle.
For Javel, his brother, Jamel, was not just an older brother. He was his mentor, his protector, and his best friend. When Javel got accepted to the University of Central Florida older brother Jamel volunteered to go with him so he would not be alone.
Donna, Jamel’s mother, would look forward to Sundays for her face-to-face call from Jamel.
Jamellia would describe her brother as her confident and secret keeper; although ten years apart, she would also describe him as her best friend.
Jamel was a rock, solid and steadfast to his friends and his family.