Zerita Pasha

Zerita Pasha, 67, residing in Michigan City, IN, passed away at 2:38pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 in Greenwood Healthcare Center, Greenwood, IN. She was born on January 20, 1951 in Benton Harbor, MI, to Khalid Bin and Shahidah (Williams) Ziyad, both of whom preceded her in death.

On June 6, 1975 in Michigan City, Zerita married Sterling Pasha, who preceded her in death on May 7, 2017. She is survived by five daughters, Lonita James of Chicago, IL; Shaheena Smith of Chesapeake, VA; Omegia Keeys of Atlanta, GA; Rasheeda Pasha of Woodbridge, VA; Ameenah Starks of South Bend, IN; and two sons, Sterling Pasha II of Atlanta, GA and Khalid Pasha of Michigan City, IN; eleven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three sisters, Rebecca Lee Abdullah and Ruth Ann Grant, both of Cincinnati, OH, and Frederica Griffin of Chesapeake, VA; and three brothers, Mahdi Ziyad Pennsauken, NJ; Charles Watkins of South Bend, IN; and Yacob Watkins.

In addition to her parents and husband, Zerita was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy Mae Wells and Khayriyyah Qaiyim, as well as seven brothers: Arthur Lee Watkins, Samuel Dee Watkins, Gerald Watkins, Curtis Watkins, Danny Watkins, Earnest James Gentry, and John Calvin Gentry.

Zerita worked as a lactation specialist for WIC, a federal assistance program for women, infants and children. She also worked at Kmart, Sears, and was a community activist.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm (EST) on Saturday, August 11, 2018 at Islamic Society of Michiana, 3310 E. Hepler Street, South Bend, IN 46635. Graveside services and burial will follow at Highland Cemetery in South Bend. Friends may visit with the family from 12:00pm-2:00pm (EST) on Saturday at the Islamic Society of Michiana.

Palmer Funeral Homes—Hickey Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Islamic Society of Michiana, 3310 E. Hepler Street, South Bend, IN 46635. Online condolences may be left for the Pasha family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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