Ezennia, Cari 28 Lake Dallas, Texas Born: 1985-03-27 Died: 2013-08-12 Draper Funeral Home, Monessen Cari Lea Ezennia, 28, departed this life on Aug. 12, 2013. Born in Houston, Texas, March 27, 1985, to Leslie Faye Lea and Ralph Ezennia, she resided in Lake Dallas, Texas. Most recognizable by her bright smile and amber eyes, Cari pursued her career aspirations at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, after graduating from R.L. Turner High School. Anastute intellect, Cari studied Biology and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2007. While at Baylor, Cari left her mark as an active member in a number of student organizations taking on leadership roles. She was most proud, however, of her membership in the Pi Mu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Through this world renowned organization and in keeping with her natural propensity to be of service to others, Cari mentored to numerous underclassmen and tutored primary, middle, and secondary level students in mathematics and reading. Upon graduation, Cari maintained her Texan roots and returned to Lake Dallas where she secured employment as a Financial Analyst with Citi Mortgage. Blessed with many talents, Cari not only trained as an investment banker, but she also actively pursued the alternate careers of attorney and physician. With great ambition, she studied and sat for the law school entrance exam (LSAT) and scored well above the acceptable entry level score even while maintaining full-time employment at Citi Mortgage. In addition to her continual pursuit of knowledge and desire to broaden her career options, Cari served as a community leader. Away from work, she organized an adult summer softball league and coached one of the league members. She worked tirelessly at recruiting players and league members and conducted numerous fundraising events to contribute to its success. Cari's true passion rested in spending time with her baby brother and love of her life, Evan. She spent a significant amount of time proctoring and nurturing him and never missed an opportunity to spoil him. One of her life's goals was to do everything she could to make all of his dreams come true. Cari's pursuits were sidelined when she became ill in 2010 due to surgical complications. Despite her constant medical challenges, she fought the good fight and eventually managed to fulfill another one of her dreams - to live in Los Angeles, Calif. Although deteriorating health conditions forced her to return to Texas, she did so with great hope and grand plans for the future. Cari's bright smile was silenced after an extended hospital stay. She went on to be with our Lord and her maternal grandparents, Edward and Evelyn Lea, leaving her mother, Leslie Faye Lea; and brother, Evan Lea, both of Lake Dallas, Texas, to cherish her memory. She is also survived by her father, Ralph Ezennia who resides in Nigeria; paternal grandmother, Bridget Ezennia and aunt, Linda Ezennia Carter, respectively, of Houston, Texas. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her aunts, Michele Lea-Stokes of Los Angeles, Calif., and Terri Lea of Washington, D.C.; and uncle, Eddie Lea of Monessen. To celebrate her life, Cari leaves her cousins with whom she maintained a special bond, Timothy Stokes of Pittsburgh, Edward Lea III of Pittsburgh, Darien Stokes of Brooklyn, N.Y., Cameron Stokes of Los Angeles, Calif., Shannon Stokes of Lebanon, and Amara Lea-Ahaghotu of Washington, D.C. She will remain in the hearts of her great-aunt, Joan Green of Gastonville, and a host of loving cousins, sorority sisters, and loyal friends. Family and friends will be received 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, at Union Baptist Church, 670 McMahon Ave., Monessen. Services will be held at the church 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, with Minister Millie Thomas officiating. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the BEVERLY C. DRAPER FUNERAL HOME INC., 608 Sixth St., Monessen, 724-684-6242.

The Valley Independent (Monessen, PA) - August 16, 2013
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams

CARI LEA
EZENNIA
1985 - 2013
"We Will Always Love You"

Belle Vernon Cemetery, North Belle Vernon, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania