Gabretta Uke
For Gabretta Uke, growing up in Louisiana exposed her to a modest perspective of life which eventually impacted on her mindset. A devout Christian, Gabretta, now 33 has been married to Emmanuel Uke for 14 years and is blessed with 3 children; 2 boys and a girl.
A major characteristic about Gabretta which has manifested over the years is her compassionate nature. She has shown compassion to the less privileged in her community especially the orphans, homeless Pregnant Women and a strong emphasis on teenagers. She strongly believes that no child should be subjected to abject suffering.
Only recently, Gabretta and her husband went through the rigorous process of securing the adoption of three young adults from Africa. After several attempts, travels and major expenses, the young adults are happy, comfortable excited members of the Uke household in Desoto. Gabretta happily provides loving care to a combination of six children and has ensured that their educational pursuit is consistent while providing amenities to facilitate their comfort including communication equipments and transportation.
Gabretta Uke who is currently fully engaged in Health Care Management believes strongly that the greatest investment anyone could have is human investment. Literally, she believes that when one gives someone else a fish, he or she has succeeded in feeding that person for a day, however, when one teaches someone how to fish, he or she have succeeded in the feeding that person for life.
ATTORNEY MARLA DENA LEE
Marla Dena Lee was born and raised in Michigan. She later moved to Los Angeles for her college education and obtained both her undergraduate degree (Psychology) and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Southern California.
While residing in California, Marla donated her time and support to numerous community service projects through her active membership with The Black Women Lawyers Association of Southern California and the Langston Bar Association.
Since arriving in Fort Worth in 1993, Marla has served as President of the Tarrant County Black Bar Association, Chairperson of the City of Fort Worth Firefighters’ and Police Officers’ Civil Service Commission, board member of Communities in the Class Room and Tarrant County Bar Association. She was recently re-elected to a second two year term as President of Black Women Lawyers Association of Tarrant County.
A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and an Associate with the Fort Worth Chapter of Jack and Jill, Marla continues to actively seek ways to give back to Fort Worth through involvement with local groups addressing the needs of the community.
Marla has a son, Adonys Wright—a 2009 graduate of Arlington Heights High School and a sophomore in college. She is a member of Great Commission Baptist Church, on the “southwest side of Fort Worth” with the leadership of Reverend Douglas E. Brown.
Siti Kaniawati (Nia) MacKay, PhD
Nia was born in Indonesia on Dec. 9th, 1961. She graduated from Bogor Agriculture Institute, Indonesia with BS in Animal Science in 1984 and earned substantial scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree in Animal Genetics in the US at the Univ. of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, where she graduated in 1990.
She was offered a graduate assistantship to pursue a PhD degree in Poultry Microbiology and graduated in 1993. Since graduate school up to this time, she had presented, authored and co-authored of over 15 published scientific articles in selected journals.
Nia was born in Indonesia on Dec. 9th, 1961. She graduated from Bogor Agriculture Institute, Indonesia with BS in Animal Science in 1984 and earned substantial scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree in Animal Genetics in the US at the Univ. of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, where she graduated in 1990. She was offered a graduate assistantship to pursue a PhD degree in Poultry Microbiology and graduated in 1993. Since graduate school up to this time, she had presented, authored and co-authored of over 15 published scientific articles in selected journals.
SARAH CASS
Sarah Cass was born on February 26, 1911 in Hearne, Texas to Willie and Sarah Davis. Her mother passed away when she was 4 and her father passed away when she was 16. She and her older brother, Willie L. Davis, were raised by her parental grandparents, Floyd and Delia Davis. Sarah was educated in Hearne Independent School District and Fort Worth Independent School District. She moved to Fort Worth in 1926 at 15 years of age and attended I.M. Terrell High School.
In 1931, Sarah married James Winston Cass (deceased). They had 9 children: Clyde, Joan, Alfred Donnell (deceased), Yvonne (deceased), Marvin, James Winston, Jr., Patricia, Billy (deceased), and Wendell.
Sarah accepted Christ at the age of 12 while attending her home church in Hearne, Texas. She later joined Mount Olive Missionary Baptist church in 1947 where she served in several areas: Sunday school, Mission, Usher Board, Baptist Training Union, Kitchen and Custodial Staff.
In addition, she helped distribute cheese and butter to indigent families. Sarah worked as a maid and did domestic work until she retired. She was also invaluable in the Fort Worth community by serving as a volunteer in Precinct 89 by working in the election and voting polls.
She recently celebrated her 100th birthday with a host of relatives and friends, receiving recognition from her Fort Worth City Council Representative, Ms. Kathleen Hicks, and the Tarrant County Commissioner, Mr. Roy Brooks.
Sarah Cass passed away on April 8, 2013 at the age of 102 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Olufunke Oke
Olufunke is herself a diva by any standard who has been through the rigors of raising four children in the USA as a single mother. Despite all the challenges, she has seen her children go through their education to become independent young adults. Hers is a story of self-determination and a great testimony of God’s Divine favor over her life.
The eldest of the quartet; Elizabeth was born in Nigeria while the other’s; Mary, Michael and Sarah were born in the United States.