Obituary of LaTania Lyn Dillard - Aiken

Love is……..

LaTania Lyn Dillard-Aiken was born on June 1, 1967 in Wilmington, Delaware to Judy Mae Dillard-Cornish and Arthur J. Cooper Jr. LaTania passed into grace on Friday April 12, 2019 after a long battle with Bladder Cancer. 

LaTania lovingly referred to as Lulu to family, and Tania too many of her friends was educated in the Colonial School District.  She graduated from Howard High School in 1986, where she played basketball and received a basketball scholarship.

Throughout her life Tania worked a variety of jobs, such as counselor at Browns Boys Club, Mister Donut, and Discover Card.  In 1993, she put her entrepreneurial skills to work and opened her own home daycare called Dillard’s Family Day Care II.  As a primary caregiver Tania had the opportunity to mentor and educate many young mothers while caring for their children.  She was free hearted, caring, and would always go the extra mile for many of the children in her care helping in any way she could, doing hair, purchasing an outfit, or extending her hours if needed. LaTania was a self-taught barber who doled out haircuts to the kids in the neighborhood whether they could pay or not.  Eventually, her love of children lead her to the Christina School District where she was a paraprofessional for seven years.  During this time, she decided to attend Wilmington University to pursue a degree in education.

Love is…….Giving and Sharing

An avid shopper, Lulu was known as the “Bargain Queen” she loved a good deal, but what made her smile most was her children and her family. Her real and abiding passion was her children whom she lovingly referred to as her baby cubs.  She loved, adored, and supported them in all their endeavors. She instilled in her children values of hard work, zest for life, a love of Christ, and a commitment to family and friends.  Nothing brought her more joy than watching the twins perform in a play or watching Melik play football.  Even when she was sick she would always find a way to attend their activities. She encouraged her children to pursue their dreams while igniting a passion and love of education. Tania was very involved in all aspects of her children’s lives.  She was also a disciplinarian that not only disciplined her children, but would without question discipline any unruly child in her radius. Family and friends could always count on her to tell it like it is no holding back.  She would also tell you if you were wrong, but no matter what she always had your back. Tania was a good listener, easy to talk to, and had a wonderful sense of humor that was always present even while battling cancer. Her smile, wit, kindness, straightforward personality, funny comments, strength, and determination will forever be etched in our hearts.  She will truly be missed. It is never easy to say good-bye, but knowing she is no longer suffering, and that she has left a lasting impression on many and a legacy of sharing and giving to others will hopefully give us all comfort in the days ahead.

Love is …………Family and Friends

Lulu leaves to cherish her memory:  her four sons: Erik Lamar Dillard, Melik Lamar Aiken (Big Baby), Myles Aaron Aiken, and Mikal Andre Aiken. Parents Judy Mae Cornish and Arthur J. Cooper, Jr. (Abria). Siblings Michelle Clarke (Bernard), Kevin Cooper (Stephanie), Sean Brady (Candist), Tonia Miller (Vohn), Mark Cooper (Dana), David Ware Jr. (LaTasha), Thomasa Rogers, Arthur Cooper III (Lynette), Tamara Cornish, and Domonique Cooper. Eleven god children: Tonaisha, Tykee, Robert, Dominique, Jalani, Danielle, Josiah, Maiah, Danasia, Kyreif, and Maliah. Former spouse Melvin Aiken. Plus a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many dear and close friends.

Acknowledgements

Our family extends our sincere thanks and appreciation for all your prayers, calls, visits, well wishes, and condolences showered upon us during this time. These acts of kindness will never be forgotten and will always be remembered with fondness and love.  We would like to extend a special thanks to Tania’s colleagues at May B. Leasure Elementary School system that were always there to lend a helping hand. The caregivers at Compassionate Care and Christiana Care that took excellent care of her. The numerous family and friends that walked with her on her cancer journey from the beginning to the end. We pray that God will bless each and every one of you and keep you in his divine care.

Lovingly Submitted,

The Family