Jamal Lester West

The Obituary Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Jamal Lester West, of Silver Spring, Maryland was called on to be with the Lord suddenly on June 21, 2014. He was 35 years old. Jamal was born on October 12, 1978 in Pittsburgh, PA to James and Brenda West. He later relocated to Silver Spring, Maryland, where he attended Montgomery County Public Schools and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School. Jamal loved socializing with his friends and family. Always joking and smiling, he was nick named ‘Smiley’ at a very early age. What the social butterfly, he was. Many thought he knew almost everyone from the East Coast to the West Coast and was working on the international. As a member of the Coles, Lemons, Meekins, Williams, Winfree, Woodson, Family Reunion, Washington, DC Chapter, he assisted in the planning of several family reunions. He was a natural born salesman who was never pushy or demanding. If you knew him, then you knew he was an avid sports fan; his favored team was the Pittsburgh Steelers. After living in the Metro area of Washington, DC for many years, he developed a liking for the Washington Redskins, as well. When both teams played each other, Jamal would wear two sets of team clothing. Whatever team won, the loser’s clothes vanished and Jamal would smile and strut as if he chose the winning team. In his mind… he was the coach for Zjhane’s basketball team from Middle school through her second year of High school. After realizing that he wasn't, he became the news reporter. One never knew what adventure he would be on but whatever it was, it was his best. Jamal married the love of his life, Meisha Caballero in 2012. This union created to children's, Jamya and Jaden. Jamal had a great love for all of his children. He spent his last Father's Day with his children in Richmond, Virginia, playing basketball and visiting Richmond attractions. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Elsie Meekins West; maternal grandparents, Richard and Lillian Stevens, Sr.; aunt, Reatha E. West; and uncle George L. Stevens, Sr. He leaves to cherish his present precious memories, his dedicated wife, Meisha; parents, James and Brenda West, of Silver Spring, MD.; four children Zjhane, Jamya and Jayden of Silver Spring, MD. and Jah’Mel of Hyattsville, MD.; one brother, Jamian and of West Silver Spring, MD.; two sisters, Lisa Mason (Paul) of Roanoke, VA. and Leslie West and Upper Marlboro, MD.; one aunt, Gloria D. Stevens of Richmond, VA.; two uncles, Richard C. Stevens, Jr. and Keith West of Richmond, VA.; two nieces Tiffini and Lexis of Roanoke, VA., one great uncle, Junius E. Banks, Sr. (Geraldine); two great aunts, Laura Meekins Miles and Rosa Stevens; a special “mom” Helen Love of Pitcairn, PA and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Jamal Lester West

October 12, 1978 - June 21, 2014