Obituary of Valdaishia L. Simpkins

**Please see updated funeral service information.**

Valdaishia La-Teifah Simpkins was embraced into arms of the Lord on Monday, April 8, 2024 after a tragic accident. She was 27.

Valdaishia is survived by her two cherished daughters, Lauryn Ariel Marshall and Lani Emma Blaise; her beloved parents, Rasheda Belinda Emma Harris of Summit and Ormond Simpkins, Sr. of Irvington; two brothers, Ormond Simpkins, Jr. and Jaden Christopher Harris; three sisters, Bernadette Harris, Shaquetta Valerie Simpkins and Rasheda Mary Downing; her paternal grandfather, Cornell Simpkins, Sr.; four nieces and four nephews; and a host of extended family and dear friends.

She was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Christine Harris and Michael Roundtree; and her paternal grandmother, Valerie Emma Johnson.

Valdaishia was born on June 25, 1996 in Newark, NJ. She attended Northern Elementary School before moving to Bernardsville, NJ where she attended Bernardsville Middle School and High School. She graduated from Columbia High School in Maplewood, NJ.

Valdaishia had a career at Newark International Airport with Prime Flight, a service contractor to Jet Blue and United Airlines. She was responsible for helping the elderly and disabled board flights and traverse the airport. Valdaishia was in the process of completing the educational and specialized training requirements to become a TSA agent at Newark Airport. She was excited to begin her new career.

Valdaishia’s most proud accomplishment was being the absolute best mother she could. The sun rose and set for her two little girls, Lauryn and Lani, and she was so proud of them. She was a devoted mother who worked tirelessly to provide a good life for her girls and loved to spend every minute she could with them. Valdaishia also loved her nieces and nephews deeply and spent a great deal of time watching her little nephew, Man-Man. She also loved her mother deeply and was a wonderful daughter.

Valdaishia will be remembered for her heart of gold and for being an incredible mother. We all take comfort in knowing that her legacy and good nature will live on in her two daughters.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to a visitation for Valdaishia on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Vincent Martyr Church, 26 Green Village Road, Madison. Those who are unable to attend in person may attend the Mass virtually by visiting www.svmnj.org and following instructions for live-stream Mass viewing.

Interment will follow at St. Teresa’s Cemetery, Summit.

In lieu of flowers, please make a charitable contribution that will go directly towards the care of Valdaishia’s two young daughters that she leaves behind by visiting this link.

Mama/Vally,

Words can’t express how this makes us feel. You are the glue and we’ll remain strong together because of you. You shared wisdom, laugher, joy, and love to everyone family, friends, and even strangers. We gained a beautiful angel who I know gonna hold us down 100 % watching over us and we got you down here with your babies. We love you. We’ll continue to stay positive because of you, because you would want us to.

Thank you for being our sister!

Thank you God for blessing us with a soul such as hers.

Never forgotten, the seed has definitely been planted.

-Life goes on 2Pac