Linda Jemileh Emelia Hamed

Jemileh Linda Emilia Hamed was born on October 16, 1960 to Clara Brown and the late M. J. Hamed, in Freetown, West Africa.  Jemi, as she was fondly referred to by close friends and family was the second born of six kids and was a dedicated and loving mother to her only daughter, Karina Kargbo.

Jemi attended the Fourah Bay College (“FBC”) in Sierra Leone where she earned her Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma in Education.  As a student at FBC, she took both her academics and social activities very seriously and rumor is that she was one of the finest dancers of her time.  Upon graduation, she had a short stint as a history and government teacher at her alma mater, St. Joseph’s Secondary School.  As much as she was a historian and had a penchant for law, Jemi had a talent to sew and at a very early age, she and her younger sister, Bridget had started making dresses for some of their friends and word got around quickly that they were very good seamstresses so they started their own family sewing business.  Dress designing and sewing was her God-given talent and she was an extremely, accomplished seamstress in Sierra Leone and the United States.  Jemi made the best dresses but you would have to be prepared for nerves because chances are, she will spend so much time on that dress trying to make it perfect, you are more than likely going to be late for that event but she will definitely make you look your best.

Jemi was a giver…she gave her time to everyone and to her, everyone was special and everyone’s pain or struggle was hers and she would spend time and sometimes go without sleep trying to solve the problems of others and even neglect herself; that is just who she was, she gave her all to everyone. She was a dedicated caregiver to her daughter and mom. Her best and most favorite role was being a mother to Karina. Her love for her daughter was boundless and their bond was strong, unconditional, enviable and will transcend from heaven to earth.   Her daughter was the centerpiece of her world.

Jemi had immigrated from her motherland, Sierra Leone in 1995 and adopted the U.S. as her second home.  She lived in Virginia and California but spent the last 21 years of her life in Warren, MI with her daughter.  Jemi’s dream was to return home to Sierra Leone soon but God needed her now.

She is survived by her only daughter Karina, her mother, and siblings, Edward Strong, Fawzia Joseph, Fairuz Halloway, Jamil Hamed, Odette Hamed, Samia El-Ali, Bridget Hamed-Mbayo, Abess Hamed,  Samir Hamed, Annise Moses-Isaac, Gibran Hamed, Soriah Hamed, ten nieces and nineteen nephews, a very special niece and nephew,  Fatu and Ned, several brothers and sisters in-law including Charles Mbayo, Edward Isaac, David Bangura and Ruby Strong, the Hamed and Brown family, a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, family and friends.  She had a special bond with her family and her youngest nephew Mason was her joy.  Jemi had numerous best friends but her extra special and senior BFF was her sister Bridget, with whom she shared almost everything including office.  She was the teacher, mentor, counselor, disciplinarian and therapist to her two youngest sisters, Annise and Soriah.

Jemi, your absence has created a vacuum in our lives.  Our family will always be incomplete and your friends will miss you but your unbiased advice, words of wisdom and counseling shall forever be with us.  Jemi, sleep and take your rest until we meet again.

Visitation Friday, September 4, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at David Wysocki Funeral Home, 29440 Ryan Road, Warren. Visiting Saturday, September 5, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with the Funeral Mass starting at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 730 S Lafayette Ave, Royal Oak. Interment to follow at Oakview Cemetery, Royal Oak. Masks are required at all services. The Funeral will be available to be viewed on the Facebook app. To join us virtually for Jemi's home-going, please go to the Wysocki Funeral Home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wysockifuneralhome. The Facebook Live stream will stop at the end of Mass and will start up again when we arrive at the cemetery for the committal service.  The service will also be available on the Zoom app.  Please go to www.zoom.us/join.  Enter the  Meeting ID: 906 841 3133.  Enter the Password: 29440.

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