The dynamic Wakita Marie Kenniebrew-Franklin made her debut on April 27, 1963, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the union of the late Raymond Sr. and Brenda Kenniebrew. Wakita confessed to Christ at an early age and joined The Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church. Furthermore, Wakita was educated in the East Cleveland Public School system. Most notably, she had a striking presence at Shaw High School where she was known by her teachers and classmates for her leadership skills, academic achievement, and athletics such as varsity cheerleading, gymnastics, and being voted best dancer. Upon completing high school, Wakita proudly followed her father’s military example and enlisted in the United States Navy in March of 1982. It was in the Navy where she began developing her computer skills that launched her professional career as a software engineer, which spanned from 1987 to 2022. After serving in the Navy, Wakita moved to Dayton, Ohio, where she gave birth to her beloved son Taurean Jamar Young. She was a fiercely dedicated mother who showed her commitment to mothering through emphasizing the importance of education, her involvement in his extracurricular activities as a team mom, baking his wedding cake, and most importantly, raising him to be a God-fearing man. To exemplify this love for God, Wakita rededicated her life to Christ in April 1995, joining New Fellowship Baptist Church. It was also in Dayton where she met William Franklin III. The two of them joined in Holy matrimony on July 7, 2001. They enjoyed jazz music, entertaining, and adventures together as a couple. Wakita was known for her unmatched ability to bring people together. She started multiple clubs (Ebony, Ebony Jr., Diamonds and Pearls, & the Flossy Possy, to name a few) and was notorious for hosting heavily attended events such as her annual pajama parties, Halloween parties, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks, and spur of the moment cookouts. She will be remembered for being a listening ear who always gave thoughtful, tender, and love-filled advice, whether or not you wanted to hear it. All the advice she gave and the things she taught are forever engraved within our hearts, where her sweet memory will be carried. Wakita was beautiful and lovely beyond words. If you knew her, you loved her. She had a beautiful, kind heart and an infectious smile. She was well known for her impressive creative abilities which she compassionately shared with others. There wasn’t a craft that Wakita couldn’t do and she took great pride in everything she created. Whether it was for family, friends, or clients, her beautiful creations brought much comfort and joy. If you’re reading this there’s a great chance that she created something just for you or someone you know. She channeled her passion for creative arts into multiple businesses, such as her cake-baking business and hosting sales parties. Her other hobbies included tending to her fish and aquarium, gardening, and tending to plants. She was an avid Cleveland sports fan and enjoyed watching the Browns and Cavaliers. She was also a doting grandmother, fondly referred to as Gigi, who enjoyed taking family trips and camping. They say New Years is a time to let go of the old and embrace the new. That’s just what Kita did. She let go of the pain and embraced peace. She ran a great race and fought a great fight. She was truly a special lady that was loved by so many, but no one loved her as much as her Heavenly Father who decided to call her home the night of January 1, 2023. On that day, Wakita was reunited with her loved ones that preceded her in death, including her loving parents. The love, time, and memories with Wakita Kenniebrew-Franklin are everlasting and she will forever be missed. Leaving to cherish her memory are: husband; William Franklin III, two sons Taurean Jamar Young (Alexis), Donyale Quincy Bryant, four grandchildren Hudson Olivia and Wesley CJ Rose Young, Danyale Chelsi and Deziree Quinci Bryant, one great grandchild Faith Royel Williams, one sister Luphelia Brewer, three brothers, Raymond Jr., Michael, and Marlon (Valene), one sister-in-law, Geraldine Sheerer, three aunts; Mary Bush, Shirley Jordan, and Denise Kenniebrew, one uncle; Harvey Kenniebrew (Evelyn), two great aunts Mary Sue Barnes and Hazel Lee Bush-Brandon, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.