I shall always remember Nillani's love, kindness and warm-hearted support of others. I first met Nillani and David and the girls after they joined Imani Baptist Church where I serve as a deacon. Early on, she attended a class that I conducted. What a blessing she was. Sharing her wisdom and ideas always in a way that brought light and opportunity for growth for all of us. She embraced my wife Cheryl and I, and our children's book publishing company, Just Us Books. She visited our home where we spent an evening getting to know each other. When we had the 30th anniversary celebration for our company at the Schomburg Center in New York in Harlem, which could be a traffic nightmare for those driving from New Jersey, it warmed our hearts to see Nillani and David among the mostly New Yorkers who were there. Several years ago, the McClain daughters Miela and Kerah were models for two of our new book releases. This photo was taken during that photo session.

We miss you, Nillani. But we know she is at rest in the arm of our Lord!    

Nillani was a beautiful unique spirit that I consider myself blessed to have known. Please feel comfortable reaching to any degree I can relieve some of your suffering.❤️ 

I will be there online to participate in the beautiful celebration in observance of Covid restrictions. We all have come down with something.

You are in my prayers 

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of this beautiful woman, mother, wife.  I did not know her well, but my heart goes out.  your family is in my prayers.  

Thoughts on Nillani

I miss my friend.

Nillani was the best. She was so kind. Quietly loving. Caring. Always in your corner. I thank God for bringing us together. She was such a steady and steadying force.

Oh, Nillani…

We met in the elevator at work and became instant friends. I was so happy to see another Black girl in the office (haha). She was the calm to my crazy. We had fun and our friendship grew — from one workplace to the next; from one friendship group to the next.

Nillani was the connector.

We didn’t realize it at the time, but she was the glue. I thank God for her life and getting to share some of her time on this side of eternity.

I’ll miss our famous lunch forays — from Italian takeout from Remi To-Go, to the ordinary yumminess of Red Lobster, to soups and salads from Hale & Hearty, which like our beloved girl, has gone on to glory.

We got in a fair amount of shopping, too, especially on our lunch breaks. I don’t even like to shop!! She was a master and an expert. She could stick and move, and find a great piece to complement her amazing style.

Brunches were also her jam. And we were always happy to make it a family affair, too, with David and the girls. Nillani had that amazing ability to bring everyone together. She brought everyone along — and had no problem inviting you to other people’s parties, without their knowledge, I bet. That was one of her many gifts from God — bringing good people together and spreading the love. That’s one of several qualities I’ll miss about our girl. Nillani really was the best.

I keep thinking to call or text her. But I can’t.

I’ll miss her special nickname for me: Timala. Some have since adopted this name for me as well, but she said it best. I hope I have some old voicemails from her. I miss her voice, her laugh. I miss her bright eyes and her “lead foot” — another trait we shared (smile).

Nillani was love. She was light. She was heart. She was the best of us: Friend. Mentor. Comforter. Mother. Wife. Daughter. Child of God.

She’s with Him now. But she’ll be with us always — in her daughters; in the advice we can still hear her give to us; in her love of quality things and quality people; in her lifetime love, David; in her family.

God bless you, Nillani. Rest well, Girlie. We miss you. We’ll always love you. And we’ll work hard to live up to the many dreams and aspirations you set in motion.

Godspeed and God bless.

— Timi