Princess Chinwendu “Baby Doll” Eke was born March 21, 1985 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia. She is the first born of four siblings. Her parents Mr. Henry Otulle Eke, Sr. and Mrs. Nkechinyere “Nkechi” A. Eke, both are immigrants from Nigeria in West Africa, and were here to acquire university education. They began their young lives as couple here in the United States of America. Before Mr. Eke earned his first degree, the couple was blessed with the most beautiful baby girl. Princess was the most beautiful baby in her Maternity Ward to the extent that she was given the title as “Baby Doll” by the nurses. When Princess was two months old, her family relocated to Austin, Texas, and she began her elementary education. In 1992, Princess, siblings and parents moved to Pflugerville, Texas, a small suburb North of Austin; at the time with a population less than 5,000. This is where Princess called her home until September 7, 2010 when she slept in the Lord.
Princess was an exemplary child in every way you can think of. She loved her family exceptionally and never missed a day of communication since she left home to college until when her health (deteriorated and was unable to communicate with her family) few days before she relocated to be with her Maker. She was an obedient child to her parents and elders; loyal to authority and strictly adhere to the rule of law that her generation is not accustomed to. Princess was highly talented, ambitious, brilliant, loving, strong, hard working, gracious, caring, poised, beautiful, yet in the words of Dr. Pearce, “was humble to a fault.” Princess had such an “infectious” smile that lightened the whole room with her very humble/pleasing demeanor. She loved life to the fullest.
Princess was honored with so many academic recognitions from Elementary school to University level. Here are few of her elementary and secondary school honors and awards: Elementary to secondary member of the Students Government, Exemplary TAAS test, DARE Program Graduate, Science Olympiad, Band member in Middle School and High School Marching Band (2000 Rose Bowl parade, Pflugerville High School), Girl State participant and elected Mayor of her city, President Academic Award recipient awarded by President Bill Clinton, National Honor Society, and well-loved Athletic Trainer.
Princess started her University education at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, where she barely completed a semester when she took ill and transferred to the University of Houston. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology/Sports Administration with Honors in May 2008. In May 2010, she received Master’s Degree in Physical Education. She was a recipient of SFAP Outstanding Graduate Student Award. Princess was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Epsilon Chapter. Princess was accepted and received acceptance letters for a doctoral program in Sports Administration from Texas A&M University, College Station, and the University of Georgia.
Princess was born with sickle cell disease, a disorder that affects the oxygen-carrying component of the red blood cells. She was correctly diagnosed at the age of 10 years. This disorder is accompanied by excruciating pain that requires very high potent pain relieving agent to control the pain. It is very debilitating and handicap to the sufferers. Princess did not allow this monster illness to stop her from the goal she had set for herself. She went in for a Bone marrow transplant with her brother’s marrow for sure cure. She was assured 98% that she would have no problem with her excellent match with her brother. Tragically, she lost her life due to post-transplant complication. One very astonishing/unique persona about this young woman was that she never talked about her illness; she never missed a semester of school no matter how long she was hospitalized. She never used her handicap status as an excuse or to draw sympathy until her last day. During her last hospitalization, the psychologist would come to discuss her situation and she would only entertain just a little about herself and would change the subject to something else. She spent her time trying to help others in their own needs. She was concerned of her parents and siblings; she even apologized for what she said “putting them through”. AMAZING!! One of Princess’ goals if she had survived transplant was to “Give back to the Society” what was given to her throughout her journey with her illness. Although, she is no longer here with us physically, we, her family want to actualize her dream and aspiration. That is how The Princess Chinwendu Eke Memorial Foundation was born.
Our goal is for the young and the next generation to benefit from this young lady’s story of faith, hope, resilience and strength, love and selfless mind set, of true and rare breed. The lesson that “You can overcome any adversity to achieve great if you so desire”. The Princess Chinwendu Endowment Fund is targeting those students who have overcame health, physical and familiar handicap and make it up to the University level and with a GPA of at least 3-0. Princess touched so many lives in varied positive ways and her Memory will live on Generation-to-Generation.
The Princess Chinwendu Eke Foundation is about continuing a dream that was cut short by a vicious illness preventing this brave, vibrant, humble, loving, lively, caring, ambitious, intelligent, conscientious and selfless young woman, whose dream was to give back, from making a difference in the society.
