1967

NIKETA CALAME-HARRIS

In this photo, my mother, Theodora Johnetta Lamond, is a senior in college. She has just been crowned homecoming queen and is riding on the float in the homecoming parade. She looks so regal and classy, which is what she was. Even as royal queen, she was approachable. That was her way: she had great wisdom and talent but was always humble. She made everyone feel like they mattered. After college she became an educator and used that same gift, connecting with people and mentoring so many.

I was my mom’s caregiver for the last seven years of her life. After dialysis, she always wanted to go out to eat. She loved going to restaurants, especially on Sundays after church, and, in fact, those are my best memories of her: just talking and laughing over good food. She couldn’t resist a prime rib. Now that she’s gone, when I go to a nice restaurant with my husband, I think of her. I think, Mom would have loved this place.