Jelani Kito Perry

Jelani was born in Abington, Pennsylvania Hospital on March 9, 1980 to Thelma Hite Perry and Eric V. Perry. He died peacefully in his sleep in Rockville, Maryland on Wednesday, December 5, 2018.

Jelani moved to Baltimore, Maryland with his mom following her divorce and in 1987 moved to Atlanta, Georgia where his mom married his step dad, Michael Harris.  Jelani attended a variety of schools.  He attended elementary and middle school at Paideia School in Atlanta, Georgia; St. Johns at Prospect Hall, a college prep school in Frederick, Maryland; and he graduated from Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, Maryland in 1998 with high honors and as a scholar athlete.  Jelani was recruited by and attended Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts.  Despite being diagnosed with Crohns, a chronic disease, in his sophomore year he still managed to graduate in four years from Williams College with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.

Jelani enjoyed a diverse professional career that included being a Substitute Teacher and tutor in Montgomery County, Maryland; a Branch Manager and Mortgage Originator and Human Resources Coordinator at 1st Principle Mortgage in Greenbelt, Maryland; Business Development and Program Analyst at HotChalk, an education firm in Bethesda, Maryland; Human Resources Manager and Small Business Specialist at the Department of Education in Washington, DC; Real Estate Agent with AK Real Estate in Maryland/DC/Virginia and he provided business development services to his mom’s Management Consulting firm.  Jelani volunteered much of his time at a variety of community organizations.  He attended McLean Bible Church in Rockville, Maryland and had plans to begin volunteering there.

Jelani was an avid reader, often recommending books to his mom.  He loved watching and playing sports.  He played and lettered in varsity basketball, football and track in high school and played college basketball.  He was often recognized in the Washington Post newspaper for his achievements on the basketball court.   As a young child he excelled at stick ball, bowling, baseball and AAU basketball.  He was currently in training as a basketball referee in Montgomery County, Maryland and had previously been a volunteer assistant coach at his alma mater, Walter Johnson HS.  He received many honors and recognitions for his athletic and academic achievements including, but not limited to, Most Valuable Player for at least four years, placement on the honor roll and dean’s lists, the Martin Luther King, Jr. “Children of the Dream” Award; The W.E.B. Dubois Talented Tenth Award for Academic Excellence; Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Scroll of Honor in recognition of outstanding achievement in leadership and academics; the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Book Award in recognition of “The Substance of Things Hoped for”.  In his senior year of high school Jelani was chosen to speak and represent Walter Johnson High School at the opening of the MCI Center in DC (now known as the Capital One Arena).

In 2007 Jelani met the love of his life, Kate Mansfield, and they often volunteered together including donating blood to the Red Cross; and they enjoyed hiking, travelling to fun places and trying new foods.  On the eve of his death they were planning to travel to New Orleans and then planned to return to one of their favorite places - Costa Rica.

Jelani leaves behind Kate Mansfield, his mother Thelma Hite Harris and step father Michael F. Harris, father Eric V. Perry, half brother and sister Eric V. Perry, Jr and Yvette (Perry) Cupid, step brother David V Harris; Aunt MooMoo (Murdie) and Auntie (Melba) who were very involved in his young life, loving aunt Katherine, aunts Zakia and Robin, uncles Joe, Ernest, Damani, Roger and Brad, cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his memory to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, 733 Third Ave Suite 510, New York, NY 10017,

Donate online and send an eCard:  https://online.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/site/Donation2?1806.donation=form1&df_id=1806

Donate online and sent a paper card:  https://online.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/site/Donation2?df_id=1801&1801.donation=form1

Message from Mom

“Jelani I love you beyond understanding and my heart is broken, but I trust God will welcome you with open arms and bring you comfort.  You have lived a short life but your warmth, loving smile, giving heart, and generous spirit will live on forever.  Rest in peace my “Mighty Precious” son, I will see you again.”

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