Ras Tesfaye Alpha Neil was born on May 17, 1981 to Pamela
Rose-Marie Malcolm and Richard Neil in Cheverly, Maryland and peacefully
transitioned on November 28, 2021. Ras Tesfaye affectionally known as Foya by
relatives and Fiya, Ras, or Biggs by friends and associates brought joy,
insight, and integrity wherever he ventured.  

Foya was raised by his grandmother, Ms. Linda White, who
taught him the importance of respect, encouraged his love of learning, and
established in him a foundation of faith. Ras Tesfaye spent his adolescences in
Jamaica where he earned high marks in all his classes and created lasting
impressions among his professors and peers alike.  

Foya enjoyed spending time with his siblings, nieces,
nephews, and cousins. He took pride in his ability to relate to the younger
generation in his family and made it his mission to establish a tribe of
connectivity and support within his family and close friends.  

Ras Tesfaye’s Rastafarian faith, the inspiration for his
name, was a prominent part of his life. He could be heard bellowing songs of
worship throughout his days. Foya used prayer, scriptures, and direction from
his ancestors to guide his decisions-this greatly shaped his benevolent
character.  

Ras Tesfaye’s love a music was very spiritual. He utilized
music as a means of expressing and processing his emotions. Ras was more than a
connoisseur of music but also a musician himself-creating music from his
teenage year until recently.  

Foya’s jovial spirit, eagerness to impart wisdom, storytelling,
and infectious laughter will be sorely missed. We keep his spirit in our
prayers as he journeys home. 

Ras Tesfaye was proceeded in death by his mother, Uncle
Bobby, Aunt Georgia and survived by his Grandmother (Lind , Father, siblings,
nieces and nephews, and close friends.