Telayah Kyatto Hughes, affectionately called "Cheeks" by her family, was born May, 25 2000 to Tellus and Alake Hughes. She departed this life on March 8th, 2020.
Telayah accepted Christ at Friendship Baptist Church. She and her family later joined Mt. Pilgrim Church where she was a member of Joyful Noise, and later rededicated her life to Garden of Prayer.
Telayah attended Rogers High School, but later transferred to E.L. Bowsher High School. She was very athletic. She played basketball, and was a track and field athlete. As a track and field athlete, she ran the 100 meter dash, and 200 meter dash, but it was the pole vault that would earn her a full-ride scholarship to William Penn University. While there, she had dreams of becoming a surgeon. Subsequently, she developed a desire to enlist in the United States Navy with hopes of serving her country.
Telayah was employed by ABC Healthcare. She enjoyed life, her family, and friends. Her contagious energy and smile would always be felt by those in her presence. She had the greatest bond with her little sister, Tellissa, and they would often be seen playfully being silly and mistaken for twins. The love they shared could never be measured.
Telayah had a love for tennis shoes and her feet would often be adorned with the latest Jordans and other sought after brands. She was just starting to embrace her girly-girl side, by recently purchased her first high-heeled shoes, and hoop earrings.
Telayah was preceded in death by her Great-Grandmothers Carolyn Oliver-Drayton "Mama Tut" and Barbara Hughes, Great-Grandfathers Henry Drayton, Charles Brooks, and Harold Hughes, Grandmother Annette "Nana" Hughes, and Grandfather Melvin Johnson.
Memories of Telayah will be cherished forever by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Tellus Hughes; Sister, Tellissa Hughes; Grandmother, Tanyia R. Drayton "Mama 2"; Grandfather, Jerome (Wanda) Brooks, and Great-Grandmother, Juanita Cole; Aunts, Kyatto R. Nelson (Patrick), Donmeca Collins, and Nikeshia Sims; Great-Aunts, Pamela and LeRoyna Drayton, Constance Brooks, Nelly Hughes, and Shonnah Hughes; Great-Great Aunts, Arbara Carey and Melva Scott; Uncles, Gary Hughes, Jerome Brooks II, and Donald Brooks; Great-Uncles, Brendford (Judy) Brooks, Harold Hughes, Leon Hughes, Thomas Hughes and Michael Drayton; Special cousin, Aniyah Midcalf; Special friends Keyshara Thomas and Kylie Harris, as well as a host of other loving relatives and friends.