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Ukennia Zakia Arinze

January 18, 1981 ~ January 11, 2023 (age 41) 41 Years Old

Obituary

Ukennia (UK) Zakia Arinze was born on January 18, 1981, in Knoxville, TN. Ukennia took leave of her pain and suffering and left behind many loved ones to be with the Lord on January 11, 2023.
She was a graduate of Carter High School Class of 1999, Tennessee State University Class of 2004, and was a faithful member of Greater Busch Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

Ukennia was an avid sports fan with basketball being her favorite sport. She played AAU and high school basketball, and loved her Vols. You would always catch her in the stands at the twins sporting games yelling “Go Zyquese, Go Zykia” and then wondering to herself if she was the loudest parent in the stands because she didn’t want to be that “Loud parent”. In memory of her daughter Zykia, Ukennia established a non-profit called “8 Lives On” to sponsor young athletes with the goal to “help a child play”. With a personality larger than life, Ukennia was always down to have a good time and laugh. She was a music lover and Drake was her favorite artist. She had a passion for driving cars no matter the type and would take long joy rides just to clear her mind. She would often say “if I’m in it I own it, put the keys in the ignition”.
Ukennia will always be remembered by her larger-than-life personality, her contagious laugh and gorgeous smile.
She is preceded in death by daughter, Zykia Burns; mother, Patricia Bates- Linder; stepfather, Howard Linder; Grandmother, Lula Mae Sewell Bates; Grandfather’s, James Charles Bates and Horace Cousins.

She leaves to cherish her memories, devoted son, Zyquese Burns; step sister, Natascha (Steven) Lundy; devoted brother, James (Kelly) Fugate; step brother, Christopher (Anetra) Linder of Marietta, GA; devoted aunt, Shirley Bates; nephews, Robert and Joseph Lundy; nieces, Grace Lundy, and Sidney and Brooke Linder; godmother, Sondra Troutman-Bryson; devoted caregiver and friend, Jessica Foye Camp; friends, Markisha Patterson, LaShonda Crymes of Lancaster, TX, Albert Harper, Asbury Smith; Dr. McFarlard, Dr. Mitchell, Vanderbilt hospital and Dr. Ciomeor, UT hospice, Gary Dawson and a host of other loving family and friends.

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