Obituary of Aisha Hadiya Oliver-Staley

Aisha was a very good friend to me and many others during our Morgan State days. She was our guardian angel and "God mother" to many Caribbran students. Making us feel welcomed away from our native home. So many situations with good advice to be mention. I' m glad she met my family in 2023 after a long period of being out of touch , you will be greatly missed...love yah...till we meet again dear friend.

So sad to hear this. Gonna miss you Aisha. Love and condolences to your family. Rest in peace, friend.

Will never forget our fond memories. Certainly, she was one of a kind. Eternal rest grant unto her dear Lord and may her sweet soul rest in eternal peace.

Aisha was a very good friend and mentor during my time at Morgan and while we both lived in Atlanta. She has been very supportive and pushed me as a professional. She will be sorely missed.

Although it is about thirty years or more since I taught and last saw Aisha, her memory is an indelible one. A delightful student, enterprising, resourceful and an asset to the classroom. I particularly remember her role in organising the schools first Black History Month Exhibition back then. She reached out widely, collaborated externally and produced an exceptional exhibition way beyond our wildest expectation . My deepest condolences to her friends and family. Aisha, may you rest in perfect peace. Love always.

This a special memory for me we were in SC and we all went to Myrtle Beach to watch the sun rise I didn't want to go but you insisted and it was so beautiful thank you

Dear Aisha--I hope you know how many lives you touched with your joy, wisdom, humor, compassion, and deep understanding of the human experience. You improved people through leading and living by example. There were so many late evenings we spent together in our offices working through tough problems and feeling exhausted with the weight of our responsibilities, and I remember how we would break into fits of laughter when we realized we were taking things too seriously and forgetting to smile. I watched you and learned how to take good care of myself during those times. I can still hear your voice telling me to carefully manage my "energy tank" and that this is a "marathon and not a sprint." I remember your love for floral heels and how you wore them beautifully. I remember your laughter and bright smile and how your eyes would light up when you spoke about your love for running and hiking and being outdoors in nature. I remember the last time we sat together and shared a meal and how you expressed so much appreciation for the people and experiences you had. I will always remember you, Aisha. You are a special and pure soul and the loveliest angel now in Heaven. Rest in peace. We will meet again, dear friend.

Aisha's pre-mature death is tremendous loss to the legal and higher education communities and to all who loved her. Her talents were prodigious and irreplaceable. She was personable, strong and humble. It is an honor to have shared some of her life journey. My heart and prayers are with her family. May God gently receive her soul,

I met Aisha at Morgan State when I had just come to the U.S. from Trinidad, trying to adjust to a whole new world. She was one of the first people I met—warm, kind, and so genuinely helpful. From day one, she made me feel like I belonged. There were many late nights when I needed to finish assignments, and without hesitation, she would let me use her laptop. That act of generosity may seem simple, but it meant everything. It saved me from having to work alone in the library at odd hours and walking back to my dorm in the middle of the night. She looked out for me when I had no one else close by. That was just who she was—always giving, always caring. She was a confidant, full of wisdom and love. She helped me face one of the hardest decisions of my young life, giving me courage when I felt overwhelmed. Her presence in that chapter of my life was a true blessing. We eventually lost touch, but I never forgot her kindness, her laughter, or her beautiful smile. She was a true friend in every way that mattered, and the Godmother of my firstborn son, Justyn. Rest well, my dear friend. Your love left a mark that time and distance could never erase.

It’s taken me some time to find the words and the strength to share just how much Aisha meant to me and to honor the beautiful memories I hold of such a beautiful soul—inside and out. I first met Aisha at Georgia Tech when she came in to interview for a position in our office. Even before she spoke a single word, her warmth and radiant spirit filled the room. It was as if her light introduced her first. From that day forward, our professional connection quickly blossomed into something deeper. We shared countless conversations—about work, life, dreams, and everything in between. Aisha wasn’t just a colleague; she became a mentor, and then a cherished friend. Our days together were filled with laughter, insight, and meaningful exchanges. One of the many gifts she gave me was introducing me to the prose poem Desiderata. To this day, I still begin each morning with its words, feeling her presence and wisdom guiding me. Aisha, thank you—for your guidance, your friendship, and the light you so effortlessly shared with the world. Rest in Heavenly Peace. You are deeply missed and forever loved.

Aisha, you were a shining example of how someone could pull off hard work and excellence with incredible joy. When almost 100 of your countrymen descended on the campus of Morgan State University in the year 2000, you and your peers had already carved a path for us to follow, one of diligence and pride in who we were and who we could be. I remember the swell of pride I felt when you became our Student Government President and the brilliance you brought to the job, a brilliance you displayed across your career. We didn’t stay in close touch but I admired your journey from afar. You will be sorely missed by so many since you never stopped trying to make the biggest impact you possible could. We won’t forget you and all you meant.