July 26, 1995 – February 23, 2023
Jalen Arkeis Sefu was born July 26, 1995, in Richmond, VA. As a true Leo, he was protective, loyal, and generous. If he had it to give, he might put up a little fuss, but it was yours.
Jalen graduated from Hopewell High School with the Class of 2014. He was employed at John Randolph/Tri Cities Hospital for several years. He also worked at Ruby Tuesday of Hopewell until his passing.
He loved ALL things Marvel and could spend hours with anyone talking and/or debating about it. His alter ego was Iron Man. We were blessed and beyond fortunate to have had our very own Tony stARK. We love you 3000!
Jalen was the true embodiment of Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” His faith was strong in God, and he leaned on Him through all things, especially when he didn’t understand. He was a wanderer. He believed he could walk any and everywhere because God blessed him daily with strength to do so. Jalen had an immense passion for life, but he lived for his daughters, whom he lovingly called his princesses; even though one wanted to be a unicorn.
Jalen was an avid basketball player and sports lover. He was a die-hard New England Patriots and Boston Celtics fan. He loved the outdoors and found peace and serenity in the stillness and beauty of nature, especially at night. He was an engineering scholar. He could create and read any blueprint. He also was a brilliant mathematician and loved to create and listen to music, especially Juice WRLD.
Jalen, 27, of Chesterfield, Virginia passed away peacefully and surrounded by love on February 23, 2023.
Jalen was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Sharifa Sefu; paternal grandfather, Jelani Sefu; and his aunt, Tonya Nadine Williams. Jalen leaves behind to treasure his memory: his grandparents, Angelia “Gwammy” Jordan, Robert “Gran-dad” Jordan and Eddie “Pops” Brown; parents, Nedira Korene Brown (James) and Shaka Hasani Sefu; two daughters, Kyla Renea Sefu and Bella Shy-ann Sefu; two sisters, Jazmine Alexis Sefu and Ebony Rochelle Sefu; three brothers, Evan-James Reginald Brown, Ziaire Donte Brown and James Henry Lambert; aunts, Naya, Keana (Yoshi), Cydney, Lia, Baya, Nee Nee, and Eka; uncles, Quea, Big Donnie, Keand (Dino), Nooms, Cayden, and Jelani; he was locked in for life with Quenton “D-Wade” Harris, Tariq “Riq/Irv” Harris and Darrell “Woofa” Taylor of the Seattle Seahawks; his squad, Shirley “Nunnie” Sefu, Isaiah “Izzy” Hall, Jessica “Jessie” Sefu, Jeremiah “Twin” Hutchins, Hendrena “Drena” Tucker, Savion “Feezy” Hutchins, Myliicia “Myli” Sefu, Naquan “Quanie” Jordan, Cozie Sefu, Nequea “Queaby” Jordan and Gardenia “Boobie” Sefu; and a host of cousins and other relatives and friends.
Jalen will be sorely missed.
Services will be held 5:00 P.M., Saturday, March 4, 2023 at the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA.