“She Walked in Light: The Faithful Journey of Sister Ziyadah ‘Ada Pooh’ Perry”
- Karen Brittingham-Edmond
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 11 hours ago
April 17, 2026
Memorial
Keansburg, NJ — The Cove by the Bay community is mourning the loss of one of its brightest and most compassionate pillars, Sister Ziyadah Suhaira Perry, affectionately known as “Ada Pooh." Born on June 10, 1977, and called home on April 5, 2026, she lived 49 years with a spirit that radiated kindness, faith, and resilience.
Sister Ziyadah was known for her beautiful smile, sharp intelligence, and unwavering Christian devotion. A woman who carried both joy and heartbreak in her heart, she leaned on her faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, serving with humility and offering encouragement to anyone who crossed her path. Whether she was sharing scripture, lifting a neighbor’s spirit, or simply offering a warm word in the hallway, Ziyadah’s presence was a ministry all its own.
Her life was forever shaped by the tragic loss of her beloved brother, Zaidis Mahdee Perry, who drowned on September 16, 2018, in Thornes Creek in Hazelet, NJ, while attempting to save another man from drowning. He was only 36 years old. His passing—one of 30 New Jersey water‑related deaths since May 2018—left a deep wound in Ziyadah’s heart. She searched for him, prayed for him, and carried the weight of that day with a quiet strength that inspired many. Her pursuit of justice, awareness, and remembrance for her brother became part of her life’s mission. Ziyadah was also predeceased by her beloved mother, Mrs. Barbara Randolph Perry, in 2001.
Despite her pain, Ziyadah continued to pour love into her family and community. She was a proud mother to her daughter, De’Ziyah Brockenbough, who recently graduated from the Atlanta MEPS 10th Battalion Military Entrance Processing Command on March 10, 2025—a milestone that filled Ziyadah with profound pride.
Ziyadah attended and advocated for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Ziyadah spearheaded the Black Achievers program at Virginia Union University, founded in 1865, and also attended Norfolk State University. Her commitment to education, empowerment, and cultural pride was evident in everything she touched.
She leaves behind her father, Mr. Stanley Perry Qawley of Matawan, NJ; her sisters Zuhairah Perry and Zurinah Perry; her brother Dr. Ishmael Qawiy; six nephews; and a host of extended family, friends, and neighbors who loved her deeply.
Known for her ever‑changing, vibrant hairstyles, her soulful laugh, and her ability to make even the darkest days feel lighter, Sister Ziyadah “Ada Pooh” Perry will be remembered as a woman who walked in faith, fought through storms, and loved without hesitation.
Her sunrise and sunset remind us that some lives shine so brightly, even heaven must call them home early.
✨ “Ada Pooh’s Poem/Song: A Soulful Gospel‑Urban Tribute” ✨
First Good Times
Ada Pooh stepped out shining, hair colors like a rainbow in motion,
Walking with purpose, walking with praise,
A sister with joy tucked deep in her spirit,
A woman who danced even when life tried to still her feet.
She laughed loud, loved hard,
Lifted folks up like Sunday morning prayers,
Turned apartment hallways into healing spaces,
And made The Cove by the Bay feel like family.
II. Hard Times
But storms found her—
Heavy rains, deep waters,
The kind that test a believer’s soul.
Losing her brother, Zaidis, carved a sorrow
That only God Himself could understand.
She searched, she cried, she prayed,
And still she stood—
Not untouched, but unbroken.
III. Her Walk With God
Ada Pooh kept her Bible close,
Her faith closer,
Her hope closest of all.
She sang her way through heartbreak,
Testified through tears,
And held onto Jesus like a lifeline
When the world felt too heavy to hold.
IV. Her Legacy
She cheered for her daughter’s rise,
Pushed for justice,
Lifted her people,
And left footprints that won’t wash away.
Ada Pooh lived funky, soulful,
Wrapped in grace,
Crowned in courage,
And carried home in glory.
V. Final Chorus
So let the choir say “Amen,”
Let the drums tap out her rhythm,
Let the saints sway to her memory—
Because Sister Ziyadah Perry didn’t just live life…
She testified through it.
And now she rests,
Wrapped in God’s everlasting arms,
Where no waters rise,
No storms return,
And every tear is finally dried.
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