Remembering Zharia Monae Wilcox

April 1, 2000-August 2, 2024

Zharia Monae Wilcox was born to Latrona Sims and Khari Wilcox, both of Boston, MA, on April 1, 2000, in Miami, Florida. After her parents and big sister Shyri Wilcox moved back to Boston, she attended Cambridge and Boston Public Schools, graduating from Community Academy in June 2018. Zharia was well-known for her academic abilities, athletic talent, and doing what she wanted to do. Her love for basketball was evident in her participation in various leagues and competitive teams, leading her to further her education and journey as a scholar-athlete at Putnam Science Academy in Putnam, Connecticut.

Zharia was a sweet baby and intuitive from the start. As a child, she cherished spending quality time with her great-grandmother, the late Mary Wilcox, and her great-aunt Jonnie Carter watching television, or just talking. She enjoyed family trips to Cape Cod. Zharia and her big sister shared a special bond, being just a little over a year apart. Although very different, Shyri and Zharia's love for each other was apparent, they attended dance school and cheerleading together. They enjoyed doing everything together. These memories were fondly cherished by Zharia and nurtured by their cousin Monique Carter, who also served as an aunt and mother figure in their lives, with the support of her paternal family.

Zharia had a deep love for cooking, which she credited to her father and aunt Jonnie. She enjoyed spending time with her dad in the kitchen, going to amusement and water parks, and hosting cookouts with her father, stepmother, La'Keya Solomon, and her siblings Shyri and Da'Vonnie Wilcox. Zharia cherished spending time with her little brother Da'Vonnie, writing and bringing their raps to life, and talking about their fashion style. Zharia truly valued these special times.

As Zharia got older, she prioritized building positive relationships with all her siblings, and extended family members. Zharia had enough love to go around. She also strengthened her connections with her maternal family and cultivated lasting relationships with several mentors and friends who supported and guided her. Known for her generosity, Zharia always noticed anyone in need and gave all she could to help them.

Her warm and beautiful smile, radiant eyes, and sweet dimples had the power to light up any room; her giggle was infectious and will be missed. Zharia is survived by a large circle of loved ones, including her parents, Khari Wilcox and Latrona Sims; stepmother, La'Keya Solomon; sisters Shyri Wilcox, Nashaunti Borden, Heaven Sims, Blessing Fulgham, Dominique Herndon; brothers Da'Vonnie and Khari Wilcox, Jr., Devonte Bonds, Steven Parks, Marlo Burns, and Jatavion Sims; great-aunt Jonnie Carter and cousin Monique Carter; grandmother Elizabeth Ford; her aunt Raeshaundra Sims; her uncles Kyle Wilcox; David and Chris Sims; and cousins Jah Gerald, Kyle Francis; nieces Sariah Small, Zharya and La'Kiya Wilcox; nephews Camajai Newman and Dariel Ortiz, and many more dear family and friends