Yarnell Carlene Exum-Okosi

Yarnell Carlene Exum-Okosi, 38, of Topeka, passed away Monday, October 5, 2015.

She was born June 17, 1977, in Manhattan, New York, the daughter of Renee Exum and Harry Pringle. She was a 1996 graduate of Topeka West High School and attended Flint Hills Job Corps in Manhattan, KS in 1997 with studies in Business Clerical Technologies. She graduated in 1998 from Cloud County Community College in Junction City, KS with an AAS degree in business.

Yarnell was employed by KNI, the State of Kansas and Frito Lay Inc., where she met her husband to be. She attended B Street College Design School of International Hair Styling, becoming a licensed cosmetologist. She attended Washburn Technical School for carpentry and wood working and finished with distinguished awards. She graduated from the Mid-West Barber College in Topeka in 2013 and began her employment as a Licensed Beautician for the Oakland Family Salon in Topeka.

She was a member of the El Shaddai Ministries Community Church, where she served as a member of the choir and served on the staff of the Youth Department, providing hair-cuts, pedicures and manicures without charge. She was a Charter Member of Phi Theta Kappa and International Honor Society, initiated and oversaw student identification cards at Cloud County Community College. She was an Honoree, National Job Corps Convention, recipient of Harper's Ferry Memorial Scholarship and served as Secretary in Student Government Association.

Yarnell married Nsikak P. Okosi on May 30, 2007 in Ft. Benning, Georgia. He survives in West Point, NY. Other survivors include her children, NsongUrua Nsikakokosi, New York, NY and Andrew Christopher Exum, Topeka; her mother, Renee Exum-Haggerty, Topeka; her father, Harry Pringle, Brooklyn, NY; her sister, LaRelle Houston-Exum, Topeka; three nieces LaJhaye Green, LaJora Smith and LaJaiya Smith; her brother, RayVon Haggerty, Topeka; Lawrence M. Smith, Topeka; her uncle, Herman Lamont Exum, Kansas City, MO; her aunt, Yolanda D. Exum, Bronx, NY; and host cousins including, Tokeasha Exum, Topeka and Herman Exum, Jr., Lawrence, KS.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Herman Von Exum and Arnell Williams Exum; and paternal grandparents, Daisy and Chester Davis.

Yarnell possessed profuse interpersonal skills and was very comfortable in front of large groups. She made various presentations to senior management and board of directors and was culturally sensitive. She was repeatedly recognized through fast track promotions and awards. She was an influential and persuasive leader with an ability to build trust and rapport in team oriented organizations. She possessed certified knowledge in computer skills and above average mathematic skills and provided excellent oral and written communication skills including typing and confidential documentations. She had a positive attitude with a strong desire to succeed. She worked in a self-sufficient manner and was always safety conscious.

A funeral ceremony will be 10:00 am., Saturday, October 31, 2015 at the El Shaddai Ministries Community Church, 920 SE Sherman Ave., Topeka. Interment will follow at the Penwell-Gabel Cemetery, Topeka. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to ESMCC Youth Ministry, 920 SE Sherman Ave., Topeka, KS 66607 or to American Diabetes, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.

To leave a special message for Yarnell's family, please visit the guestbook below.