Zaekeena Aucrese

Fears-Pope

Z arkeena Aucrese Fears Pope was the only daughter born to the late Bettye Fears Cochran on Monday, March 31, 1975, in Griffin, Georgia. She was also proceeded in death by her beloved grandparents, George and Nanniel Fears, her aunt, Annette Dumas, and godfather, Arthur Clowers. She transitioned on December 21, 2024, at the age of 49 in Jonesboro, GA.

Zarkeena accepted Christ at six years old and joined Unionville United Methodist Church in Barnesville, Georgia where she sang in the youth choir along with her cousins. As a six-year-old, she was persistent in being baptized at Oak Baptist Church in Griffin, Ga., because Unionville did not have a baptismal pool. As an adult, she joined the Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in Norcross, and sang in her family group, The Fears Family Gospel Singers.

Zarkeena was educated in the Griffin-Spalding Schools System, and graduated from Griffin High School in 1993. Her intelligence and determination shone brightly from an early age, earning her numerous awards for academic achievements throughout her education. She was awarded a four-year scholarship by the Dundee Association to attend Georgia Southern State University in Statesboro, GA where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in 1997. She also earned an Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology from Southern Crescent Technical College in Griffin, Georgia in 2011. She excelled in everything she pursued, and her strength of character was evident in her radiant personality and unshakable faith.

Zarkeena had a fulfilling career with DeKalb Medical Hospital as an Information Technologist Specialist from 2014 -2019 where she brought compassion and excellence to her work. She was a Product Support Representative at McKesson in Alpharetta, GA from 2011 – 2014 and worked as a Programmer/Analyst for Accenture Technology Solutions in Atlanta, GA

Zarkeena loved to laugh, cook, dance, and sing, bringing warmth and joy to everyone around her. She prided herself on her impeccable style and made it her mission to share the importance of healthy eating and, above all, cultivating a relationship with her Lord and Savior.

Zarkeena is survived by her maternal aunts who played a pivotal role in her life: Bobbie J. Fears, Virginia Fears Kimble, and Georgia (Willie Joe) Henley who also served as her caregivers for the last three years of her life; Paternal aunts: Annette (Larry) Johnson and Annie Ruth Olson. Uncles: Bennie (Claudette) Fears, Larry Fears, and Milton Fears; Godmother, Bertha Clowers. Step-father, Calvin Cochran. Devoted cousin, Tedra Mullins; Special friends: Bernita Branom , Oma Otah, and other relatives and friends.

Zarkeena's unwavering faith, joyous spirit, and boundless love will forever live on in the hearts of those who were blessed to know her. Her life of love, faith, and joy, leaves a legacy of inspiration to her family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 30, 2024, from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Burden's Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 11:00 AM in the Chapel at Burden's Funeral Home. The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service hour. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Rev. Charles Waymon Dumas, Jr., is the Eulogist