Obafemi Oran Shabaka Awolowo

Obafemi Oran Shabaka Awolowo, aka Lil Oran, passed away unexpectedly on September 17, 2020. He was born July 14, 1981 to Obafemi Oran and Yawah (Johnson) Awolowo in Knoxville, TN.  He attended Fulton High School and was a former employee at O’Reilly’s Auto Parts.  Oran loved his family!  He always expressed his love through word and action. He enjoyed cooking and was an avid reader.  Much like his father, he loved to exercise durably living by his motto “Health is wealth.” 

Preceded in death by his father, Obafemi Oran Awolowo; sister, Joy McGhee; grandfather, Owen McGhee; grandmother, Louise C. McGhee and nephew, Napoleon Moore.

He leaves to cherish his memory: two loving sons, Khalil and Isaiah Pendleton (sons’ mother, Jayme Pendleton), all of Woodstock, GA; loving mother, Yawah Awolowo of Knoxville, TN; brothers, Shawn (Tory) Johnson of Canton, GA, Yahya and Omar Awolowo, both of Knoxville, TN;  sisters, Kumba, Finda and Uzuri Awolowo, all of Atlanta, GA and Tiay (Larry) Shipe of Knoxville, TN; grandmother, Eliza A. Johnson of Knoxville, TN; aunts, Kizzie (Jeffrey) Wallace, Turley McGhee, Mary Copeland, Robin Clark,Shelia Willis, Mona Lisa Kutsoati, Rev. Dr. Vivian Williams, all of Knoxville, TN and Letitia Agyekum, of Temple Hill, MD; uncle, Elgin Johnson of Knoxville, TN; a host of nephews, nieces, one great niece, Párris Anderson, cousins, other family and friends.

Saturday, September 26, 2020, a public walk through from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Mount Zion Baptist Church, 2714 Brooks Avenue, Knoxville, TN. Social distancing, and face masks are required.  Funeral service will be private.  During this time, we will remain in compliance with the Governor's Executive Order #17 (COVID-19).  Professional arrangements entrusted to Patton Funeral Home, Brian L. Buckmon, LFD 1-800-824-8283 or www.pattonfuneralhome1962.com. 

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