Charmika Talaya Carter Preston

My Life on Earth Early Tuesday morning on November 19, 2013, I quietly slipped away leaving my earthly home?for my new home. I was born on November 16, 1984, in Washington, D C. to Wendy Carter and Antonio Shaw. I came into the life of Florence and Kenneth Preston, at the age of 5, at the Temple Hill Home of Helping Children Grow. They filed for adoption prior to 2000, as they were retiring, after being my foster parents for over 11 years. The adoption was final in February 2002 along with two of my brothers (Xavier and Donte). I attended PG Co Public School before being transferred to St. Coletta?s in Alexandria in 2000 when we moved to DC. St Coletta?s moved the DC Public School Division from Alexandria to their new facility in the District of Columbia. As a result, I made history by being the first graduate of their new facility. I was nonverbal. I required total care. I communicated with smiles, which light up the room and my entire face, and by eye blinks. One blink was Yes; two blinks were No; stupid question (one that I felt you already knew the answer), I would just look at you with that look that told you that you should already know the answer so why are you bothering me. When I was very, very happy, you would hear me vocalizing it. I was baptized at Mt Sinai by the late Rev. David Durham. I was a very active participant in church service. I could be heard, in the only way I knew, singing; talking while preaching is going on. I really enjoyed gospel music especially the high spirited songs. I loved to hear Mr. Ralph Herndon and Mrs. Geneva Barr sing. You were able to tell because I kept her eyes wide open the entire time whenever they sang. When we had Intercessory Prayer, I would look around at my mother wondering why she was not pushing me to the altar. If she did not move fast enough, I would start making noise to get her attention. When she asked if I wanted to go to the altar, I would try to say yes or just smile. I really enjoyed the grape juice during communion. You could hear me smacking my lips. I loved going out in the community with my peers especially at St Coletta?s. When I came home, because of the communication book, they were able to question me on what, where and when. When they went over my day, I would be overjoyed. On my birthday last Saturday, two of my best friends took me via train to the movies to see ?Free Birds?. I am now a Free Bird flying around heaven. I also enjoyed cake and ice cream when I got home. I am survived by my adopted parents: Florence and Kenneth Preston, four brothers, Edward Suggs, Xavier Scott Preston, Brian Dewitt and William Jackson. My brother, Donte Moses Preston, preceded me in death and is waiting for me. Three sisters: Rhonda Gray, Daisy Boyd and LaVare Brown, my natural family: both parents, sister, brother, aunt, grandmother and a host of other relatives and friends. Dictated by my life on earth, on this 22nd day of November, 2013 Signed: Charmika Talaya Carter Preston

Charmika Talaya Carter Preston

November 16, 1984 - November 19, 2013