Ajah Asiah Ballew

We will not call this an obituary because the word obituary sounds similar to “omit” and we will not leave anything out today. This is a eulogy which means to praise, to extol loudly, to compliment, to acclaim, to pay homage, to sing the praises of, and to make a tribute to a young woman who was far too memorable to call our account of her life an obituary.

Ajah Asiah (Uh-sigh-uh) Ballew was born on September 19, 1995, in Des Moines, Iowa to Leon Ballew and Amy Jo Osborn. Ajah was a beloved and cherished daughter, sister, niece, aunt, granddaughter, cousin, and friend. A thousand hearts were broken when she left this life on Friday, April 3, 2020.

One of the great characteristics about Ajah is her laugh! Anyone who knew Ajah or was in the room with her for 5 minutes, heard her infectious and irrepressible laugh. Ajah’s laugh filled the room. Her laugh was genuine, loud, irresistible, bright, and… sometimes annoying, her laugh could not be ignored.

Ajah’s laugh went hand in hand with her character. She was genuine, and unapologetically Ajah in every circumstance. She was loud, whether it was in happiness or frustration she would make sure you knew she was there and how she felt. Ajah was irresistible. Everyone who knew her would do just about anything for her. Ajah was bright, quick-witted, and beautiful.

Ajah loved fiercely and was fiercely loved.

Ajah spent her early years in Davis City, Iowa before moving to Des Moines, Iowa where she attended Findley Elementary, Hoyt Middle School, and East High School and graduated in the Class of 2014. Ajah won a softball state championship with Grandview Little League and played basketball for East High School and Lamoni High School. After high school, Ajah attended DMACC and worked various jobs in the medical field. She had a passion for caring for elderly people.

Ajah was preceded in death by her Great-Grandma Freda Osborn, Grandfathers Wesley Winterbottom and Melvin Ballew, and Grandmother Victoria Duke. She is survived by her Father and Step Mother (Leon and Brieanne Ballew), Mother (Amy Osborn), Sisters (TyEsha) (Chasity Ballew) (Kierra Horton) (Aubrey Hartley) (Nadia Osborn), Brothers (Devon Winterbottom) (Gideon Porter) (Queden Ballew) (Lavelle Osborn Rowe) (Zayveon Ballew), Grandmothers (Mary Ballew-Rice) (Ramona Clark) (Judy Winterbottom), Grandfather (Doyle Clark), and countless cousins, uncles, aunts, and friends who loved her dearly.

Print