Nevada Dove

In loving memory of Nevada, we celebrate a life well-lived and say goodbye to a remarkable soul who touched the hearts of all who knew her. Nevada was a beacon of light in our lives and brought warmth, compassion and joy to everyone fortunate enough to know her.

 Nevada was born on September 9, 1980, to Melodie and Reginald Dove in Los Angeles, CA and was the second of four children to this union. Nevada or Vada as she was more affectionately known, was a very sweet child and the apple of her daddy’s eye. She started walking and talking at a very young age. Vada was a very inquisitive child; always talking and asking questions. She loved spending time with her big brother Earnest “Earnie” and copying everything he did. These two were inseparable. Vada enjoyed playing with her childhood friends, siblings and dozens of cousins. She loved attending church with granny and at the age of 7 she was baptized at Mt Gilead Missionary Baptist Church. Vada loved to help granny in the kitchen cooking for holidays, She was the designated “dressing helper”.

 Nevada attended McKinley Avenue Elementary School where she developed her love for learning. She won many school-wide spelling bees, PEP contest and reading awards. This is also where she met her childhood best friends

Chandra Moss, Vershawn Harold and Tamieka Hayes. The four of them would remain lifelong friends. Playing double-dutch, riding bikes, and spending time hanging at one another’s houses were their favorite past times. She attended Horace Mann Middle School where she continued to excel in her studies and was a member of the MAPHS program for accelerated students. She attended John C. Fremont High School where met her best friend Tanesha Jones-McMeans and they were nicknamed “the double mint twins.” Nevada’s favorite color was orange and Tanesha’s was lime green. These two could be viewed as mischievous at times but nonetheless they shared countless memories together.

 Her early teenage years were very fulfilling as she was a teen with a cause. Nevada met her great friend and bonus sister Maria Perez and they formed a bond that would never be broken. Vada and Maria, along with a few others created an environmental activist group that Earnie nicknamed “the Toxic Crusaders.” The Toxic Crusaders were featured in Time Magazine, CNN and an environmental activist textbook. Nevada was very proud of her accomplishments and continued fighting to help achieve basic environmental rights for underserved neighborhoods in South Central Los Angeles. Nevada attended East Los Angeles Community College. She worked several jobs until she landed in the veterinary field as a veterinary technician (Vet-Tech). This is where she excelled as a manager.

 Vada was an amazing big sister, always looking out for her two younger siblings, Josh and Shevada. Vada and Josh loved fishing together, working together, and enjoyed quality time. Vada gave Shevada a similar name to hers because she always wanted a baby sister. When they were younger, they would fight every day but as they grew older, their bond became an epic one. Nevada was very responsible and would attend her little cousin Jenee’s and nephew Earnest Jr. “Chill’s” Parent-Teacher Conferences. She enjoyed taking NayNay and Chill to the beach and Chuck-e-cheese. She enjoyed bowling, playing gin rummy, and Speed.

 Nevada moved to Florida and continued working in the veterinary field for several years. While in Florida, Nevada created many strong bonds with coworkers that became some of her closest friends. Nevada was hailed as a fantastic manager that was remarkable, compassionate and kind. Nevada moved back to California so she could be closer to her mom, siblings, one and only niece, and 3 nephews. The bond Vada shared with her niece LayArie, and nephews Earnest, James IV and Malychai was unmatched. They often called her the “Best Aunty Ever,” because she would go out of her way to make sure they were each spoiled rotten and loved beyond measure. She had a special bond with each of them. From baking for school bake sales to baking their birthday cakes, to making them their favorite treats, she was always sure to make them feel like they were the most special people in her world.

 Vada and Chill shared a love for fishing and went often. They would talk for hours about any and everything because it came with ease. Lay’Arie was Nevada’s only niece, so this bond was truly a once in lifetime thing. Vada and LayLay would bake sweet treats all the time and made plans to open “Hunny Bunny’s Sweets” together. Vada and James IV, “Kiddo” and “Adulto”, both loved the color orange and bonded over football, even though they liked rival teams. Nevada loved football and was a diehard Denver Bronco’s fan. Her last nephew Malychai “Pops” held a special place in her heart; this was her baby. If they didn’t see each other every day they had to call or video chat each other.

 Nevada met and fell in love with Kasongo Mushala. On September 9, 2021, Kasongo proposed marriage. The two lived in Rosamond raising their fur baby Mr. Biscuits. The wedding was set for September 23, 2023, but unfortunately Vada became ill and reluctantly had to postpone the wedding. She looked forward to being Mrs. Mushala.

 After a hard-fought battle with cancer, on January 14, 2024, Nevada was called home to be with the lord. Her memory will live on forever in the hearts of her loved ones.

 Many loved ones preceded her in death, her dad Reginald Dove in 2002, older brother Earnest Dove in 2001, all of her grandparents, all of her maternal uncles, one paternal aunt, and several cousins.

 Left to cherish her memory are her mother Melodie Dove of California City, CA, her brother Joshua Dove of Claremont, CA, her sister Shevada Dove-Williams of California City, CA, her nephews Earnest Dove Jr. of Claremont, CA, James IV, LayArie Williams, Malychai Williams, her brother-in-law James Williams III, her sister-in-law Mickey Dove, the love of her life Kasongo Mushala, her fur baby Mr. Biscuits and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.