Obituary of Nondey Lee Croston

Nondey Lee Croston was born in Manhattan, New York at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital on April 3, 1971. He was raised in the Bronx, NY, was the Son of Sylvia and Robert and was subsequently adopted by John. He was the first born of 8 Brothers and Sisters, Nakai, Amon, Tasia, Michael, Malachi and Jamal, this includes Akil, who crossed over on July 30, 2024, due to a very serious illness, as well. 

Nondey Lee believed in God, became a Christian at an early age and was resolute in his determination to do so. A host of Believers watched, as he gave Rev. Charles Britt, Jr. his hand and God, his heart, as he accepted Jesus Christ into his life as his Lord and Savior, at Greater Zion Baptist Church, in the Bronx, NY. Over the years in Church, he was a member of the Youth Choir and Junior Ushers, he regularly attended Sunday School, Bible Study, Baptist Training Union and Vacation Bible School. He was always proud to have memorized his recitations properly during the Easter and Christmas Programs.

Nondey Lee always tried to help others and wanted the best for Everyone, as his heart was full of love and he was always genuinely interested in what you had going on. He was a free spirited, loving and caring person, who made friends easily and was very well loved in the Family and the Community. He always made quite an impression on others. Nondey Lee loved music, loved to Dance, play the Drums and spin those records D.J.ing. He was always articulate and creative about his appearance. He was a bona fide Comedian, who loved to laugh and loved to make you laugh.

In 1987, he graduated from August Martin H.S. in Queens and then attended Tuskegee Institute for a while. This new found freedom got the best of him, as it does so many of our young Folk, and he wound up back home, pursuing a plethora of other interests, complicated by the early onset of undiagnosed Mental Illness; that unfortunately, went untreated for many, many years. This was exacerbated with the Trauma of Prison, the way the United States of America typically handles our
wayward Youth, who spiral out of control, and are disproportionately incarcerated. PRAISE BE TO GOD, SAINTS, Nondey Lee, somewhat improved, with Counseling and Meds, though attending sporadically and taken irregularly. My heart ached as he dealt with the side effects and internal turmoil that they took on his mind and body. It was a hard battle to watch.

If you’re wondering why I am sharing much of his personal information, publicly, it is solely because, someone here or someone you know, may be experiencing or showing some signs, that after hearing this, may resonate in your spirit, and may require further study; as his Mental Illness masked very serious Medical problems, as well, that had they been addressed, we might still have the joy of his presence and personality today. I THANK GOD THAT HE NOW RESIDES WITH OUR CREATOR, AND HE IS NO LONGER SUFFERING IN SILENCE. OUR FATHER ALWAYS KNOWS BEST, EVEN WHEN IT HURTS. We should all always remember that, we belong to God and so do our Children, and that they are only on loan to us; “…to bring them up in the Nurture and the Admonition of the Lord.” AMEN AND AMEN AND AMEN!!! Ephesians 6:4 HALLELUJAH!!!

Precious and fond memories of Nondey Lee are left imbedded in the hearts of many, as he leaves behind 3 Daughters, Tanasia, Nonya and Somorha, their Mothers, Tonya and Clotiah, as well as 2 Grand-Daughters, Ibrielle and Aria; his Great-Aunt Bertha, Aunts and Uncles, Jeanette and Howard, Sandra and Robert, Adrian, Sylvester and Michael, Gwen and Miquel, Reggie, Phyllis and Danielle, Cousins Cynthia, Anthony, Michele, Sarita and Tammie, Lavette and Shante, Barry, Dyneka, Javelle and Chloe, and a hosts of Cousins, Extended Family and many dear Friends. His GrandMother, Sallie Belle Edwards, and his Cousins Terry and Robert, who called home before and proceeded him to Heaven. I implore you to take this Christian walk seriously, to guarantee your entrance to Heaven, to live with Jesus forever and never be separated from your loved ones ever again. Nondey Lee would want us all to remember him with a song and a smile. He was quite a character and he will be sorely missed. Be happy for him, as he now rests in Abraham’s bosom and is not still here suffering anymore. GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!