Obituary for Carol Annette "Rashida" Belal (Hightower)
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Meeting ID: 828 6335 1212
Passcode: Belal
Carol Annette "Rashida" Belal passed away at home on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Born on April 12, 1951 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to the late Deacons Emeritus Edward B. Hightower, Sr., and Ramona Fredrigene Henry. She was the second of four siblings.
Rashida was a product of the District of Columbia Public School system attending Job Barnard Elementary School, Keene Elementary School, McFarland Junior High School, and Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School Class of 1969. She attended Knoxville College, Class of 1973 with a degree in Early Childhood Education, where she also toured with their concert choir. It was at Knoxville College that Rashida became a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated continuing on as a member of Prince George's County Alumnae Chapter.
Rashida enjoyed a fulfilling career with the Internal Revenue Service including serving in the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity where she became a mediator and was able to follow her true passion of being an advocate for others. Rashida was an active member and past chapter president of the Association for Improvement of Minorities (AIM) at IRS. She was also a member and past officer of Knoxville College Alumnae Association. As a natural advocate and caregiver Rashida thrived on taking care of others, and doing volunteer work.
Although she loved being around friends and family and traveling to anywhere with blue water and white sand, she also loved her "me time" --just getting in her car and driving or going to the casino. She had special relationships with her cars; Starting with her first car, a blue pinto that she named Penny, and a (Delta) red and white Camaro.
Rashida was a two-time breast cancer survivor. Having completed treatment earlier this year, she followed the tradition of "ringing the bell" signifying completion of her treatment. She had resumed hosting the family and friends book club in her home and was looking forward to working in her vegetable garden in the Spring.
She loved taking care of and having her family around her, especially doting on her grandchildren. They were the loves of her life-and they loved their Grammy.
Rashida is survived by her devoted son and daughter, Najee Abdullah Sr., and Zainab Rehaana Harris (Tony); siblings Edward Bernard Hightower Jr. (Shirley), Cynthia Hightower Martin, Vivian Anita Pollard (Ronald); grandchildren Daizja Abdullah-Mason, Daschmiere Fenwick, Najee Abdullah Jr., Dylan Harris, and Yasin Abdullah; nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews; life-long friends Patricia McQuarter, Gloria McDonald, and Frances Madden and a host of friends and family members.
OR
enter this ID and passcode into your zoom application:
Meeting ID: 828 6335 1212
Passcode: Belal
Carol Annette "Rashida" Belal passed away at home on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Born on April 12, 1951 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to the late Deacons Emeritus Edward B. Hightower, Sr., and Ramona Fredrigene Henry. She was the second of four siblings.
Rashida was a product of the District of Columbia Public School system attending Job Barnard Elementary School, Keene Elementary School, McFarland Junior High School, and Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School Class of 1969. She attended Knoxville College, Class of 1973 with a degree in Early Childhood Education, where she also toured with their concert choir. It was at Knoxville College that Rashida became a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated continuing on as a member of Prince George's County Alumnae Chapter.
Rashida enjoyed a fulfilling career with the Internal Revenue Service including serving in the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity where she became a mediator and was able to follow her true passion of being an advocate for others. Rashida was an active member and past chapter president of the Association for Improvement of Minorities (AIM) at IRS. She was also a member and past officer of Knoxville College Alumnae Association. As a natural advocate and caregiver Rashida thrived on taking care of others, and doing volunteer work.
Although she loved being around friends and family and traveling to anywhere with blue water and white sand, she also loved her "me time" --just getting in her car and driving or going to the casino. She had special relationships with her cars; Starting with her first car, a blue pinto that she named Penny, and a (Delta) red and white Camaro.
Rashida was a two-time breast cancer survivor. Having completed treatment earlier this year, she followed the tradition of "ringing the bell" signifying completion of her treatment. She had resumed hosting the family and friends book club in her home and was looking forward to working in her vegetable garden in the Spring.
She loved taking care of and having her family around her, especially doting on her grandchildren. They were the loves of her life-and they loved their Grammy.
Rashida is survived by her devoted son and daughter, Najee Abdullah Sr., and Zainab Rehaana Harris (Tony); siblings Edward Bernard Hightower Jr. (Shirley), Cynthia Hightower Martin, Vivian Anita Pollard (Ronald); grandchildren Daizja Abdullah-Mason, Daschmiere Fenwick, Najee Abdullah Jr., Dylan Harris, and Yasin Abdullah; nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews; life-long friends Patricia McQuarter, Gloria McDonald, and Frances Madden and a host of friends and family members.