Yakub Abdul Shareef

(Deacon) Yakub Abdul Shareef, born February 3, 1946 as John Bernard McElya, departed this life on July 14, 2021. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut and had been a resident of Lorain, Ohio for over 50 years. Yakub retired from the former General Motors Company in Elyria, Ohio. Although he was a paralegal and counselor by trade, he loved to cook, loved the company of his family and friends, and loved being around his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also loved being a member and deacon of Watchful Eye of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Yakub celebrated 30 years in recovery on July 4, 2021. He counseled, sponsored and mentored many throughout the community. He was very influential in his community and well-known by all. He is survived by his sons, John McElya Jr and Abdul Shareef Sr; his daughters, Soyraya McElya, Carla Coleman, Lashay Barton, Rasheedah Shareef, Rina Jones, Anita Sutton and Christina Frymier; his siblings, Wesley McElya Jr, Iman Shakur, William McElya Sr. (Hattie) and Aviel Rivcah; 26 grandchildren, 58 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews, and friends that are family. Yakub was preceded in death by his mother, Clara McElya, and father, Wesley McElya; stepmother, Anita McElya; sisters, Alice Hughes, Charlotte McElya and Betty Wooten and a brother, Lavoid McElya. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, July 24, 2021 at Brown-Robinson Funeral Home, 2652 Broadway Ave, Lorain. A viewing will be from 11:30 AM until time of service at 12 Noon. Social distancing and wearing a mask are required.