Quasha Shanay (Austin) Sparrow

Quasha Shanay Austin Sparrow, 33, was the daughter of Felicia Ann Mallory and Cedric Cornelious Austin. She began her journey of life on February 24, 1988, at Patuxent River Naval Hospital in Maryland.  Quasha was fondly known as “Quay” or “Quay Quay” by her family and friends.

She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior as a teenager and was baptized at Emmanuel Chapel Church of Christ Holiness, Hampton, Virginia under Elder Julius W. Riddick.

She received her High School Diploma from Bethel High School, Hampton, VA where she maintained A/B honor throughout her time in school.  While in high school, she studied to become a Licensed Practical Nurse through New Horizon’s Technical Institute. After graduating she continued her education at ECPI college where she completed her study in Practical Nursing.   She passed her licensure exam on her first attempt; all while raising her children.  Shortly thereafter, she began her career as a Licensed Practical Nurse. With high ambitions, she began studying to be a Registered Nurse at ECPI college.

Quasha was an avid reader who would enrapture herself in books; often completing novels in only a few days. She had a deep love of poetry and wrote many poems throughout her youth. One of her works was even published in “The International Library of Poetry: The Colors of Life” in 2003 while she was a teenager. One of Quasha’s most well-known qualities was her love of fashion. Quay was fond of styling hair from braids and natural styles to wigs and weaves. Quasha always left her home dressed with class; there were not many occasions one would see her otherwise.  She enjoyed playing sudoku, often spending hours solving puzzles. She had a keen affinity for computers and electronic devices. Quasha was a compassionate and loving individual; often to the detriment of herself. She was known to wear her heart on her sleeve. She would even take in homeless people off the streets, befriending, empathizing, and caring for many people.

Quasha loved children, of which she was the mother of five: Tanaya Berry 15, Taniyah Austin 13, Aireyana Sparrow 12, Neveah Sparrow 11, and Leon Sparrow III 9, (who will celebrate his 10th birthday on August 5th).  True to pride in her style, Quasha always kept her children well dressed and groomed.

She was preceded in death by her maternal great-grandmother, Mary Magdalene Toney-Powers; maternal great grandfather, Kemp Plumer Powers; maternal grandmother, Sarah Alice Mallory Powers; maternal grandfather, Louis Edward Mallory; maternal aunt, Major Shenin Delaine Mallory-Sparks (US Army, MBA, MSN/FNP, B-C, RN, CCRN, CNOR, CNE); step-father, Ruben Ruiz; paternal grandmother, Katherine Austin-Lewis; and paternal uncle, Carl Lewis.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Tanaya Berry, Taniyah Austin, Aireyana Sparrow, and Neveah Sparrow; son, Leon Sparrow III; mother, Felicia Mallory; father, Cedric Austin; granddad, Larry Dodson; godmother, Kathy Powell; sisters, Xandria Ruiz, Teairah Mallory, and Sherrie McKinnon; brothers, Xavier (Leah) and Antonio Ruiz; nephew, Alexander Ruiz; cousin, Edward Sparks Jr. (Alexis, Brian, and Bryson); paternal aunt, Nitasha Lewis; paternal uncle, Frederick Lewis; great-aunts, Dorothy Henry and Shirley Powers; great-uncle, Edward Clements; cousin, Chawndel Edmonds; special friends, Amirah Barber, Aneesah Carson, and James Smith; second mothers, Gracie Hobson, Cynthia Sparrow (Leon Sparrow Sr.), and Raechele Davis (Ma D); a host of dearly loved cousins and friends.

She is now rejoined with her grandparents, step-father, aunts, uncles, and cousins.........May you all have a blessed reunion!

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 29, 2021, at Greater Works Church of Christ, 1711 Madison Ave, Newport News.  Social distancing and facial coverings are recommended.  Livestream will be available at the beginning of the service. Interment to follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park.  Ms. Sparrow may be viewed from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home.

Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting’s Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com

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