Shawn Keith Poindexter

Shawn Keith Poindexter was born a Chicagoan during the marriage of Rosetta (Goodman) Poindexter and Randolph Poindexter on October 4, 1967. From an early age, he showed an acute interest in how things worked and an advanced aptitude for numbers; by age nine, he was already preparing taxes for his mother and her friends. Raised alongside his cousins and play-sister, Shawn never felt the loneliness of being an only child. He joined the Elite Class of 1985 at Hyde Park Career Academy, where he excelled in ROTC and the stock market program. Shawn felt strongly that intelligence in all its forms was a superpower. He joined the Marines the day after graduation, where he learned how to use his superpower wisely and strategically. As a Marine Corporal and electrical engineer serving in the Middle East, Shawn’s maturity earned him the affectionate nickname "the old man" while still in his youth. Yet his greatest pride was becoming a father to his only child, the princess Samone. Samone was the jewel in his eye. After his military service, Shawn’s career flourished at AT&T. His intelligence, work ethic, and discipline led him from Technician to a respected Manager role. It was through the advent of social media that he reconnected with high school classmate Donna Perry. Their relationship grew through laughter, tenderness, tears, shared vision, care, and fierce protectiveness. Over time, a strong, cultivated love blossomed, leading to marriage on November 7, 2014. Shawn accepted Christ as a young boy. In May 2014, Shawn was baptized in Jesus’ name at Labor of Love Apostolic Church under the leadership of District Elder Anthony Williams. In the last two years of his life, he continued to seek spiritual counsel under the leadership of Chief Apostle Veronica Lopez of New Beginnings International Outreach Ministries. Donna lovingly and patiently cared for Shawn with the heart-filled support of Samone, who cared for her dad whenever and however she could—sometimes in person, other times calling and bringing joy to his heart with laughter, life updates, and time with his grandbabies. The father and daughter relationship remains strong. The support of other family members cannot be diminished: Trenton, Joshua, Nannette, Jocelyn, Lynnette, Samuel, Aunt Gail, Tina, Melissa, Barbara, Louis, and the family chat group, originally organized by Shawn. Without their physical, spiritual, and moral support, this journey would have been a burden too heavy to bear alone. Shawn’s medical journey was anchored by the teams at Advocate Christ, Little Company of Mary, and US Renal. Dr. Selk, NP Galloway, Manager Annie Wilson, and Rochelle Sabdani—who once said when Shawn's blood pressure skyrocketed, “No hospital. Bring me my patient, we'll bring him down”—provided diligent care, while his Covenant Ambulance team—Xiomara Edwards, Sunday Ngene, and Cosmas Bamisaye—went far beyond the call of duty. The respect was returned with his nutty sense of humor, bringing laughter to US Renal, speaking firmly that Rochelle worked entirely too hard, and becoming a father figure to Sunday. Crucial to his daily life was his "nursing board": Nurses Gail Williams-Harris, Tina Watson, Vanessa Macon, Sam "Cookie" Merkle, and Jennifer. Alongside them, caregivers Barbara Butler, Chris Jones, and Tarese Miller "held up the arms" of Donna and Samone. The roles of these dedicated caregivers cannot be diminished; their loving support and tireless care significantly improved Shawn’s quality of life and enabled him to be cared for in the comfort of his home as much as possible. Shawn fought hard to stay here for his family until the end. He was determined to witness his grandchildren's (Peyton, Makhi, Aminah, and McKinley) graduations; just hearing their voices would brighten his dimmed eyes and cause his smile to crack. Shawn, we, your close family—grandchildren Peyton, Makhi, Aminah, and McKinley; your princess Samone; your every other heartbeat, wife Donna; Aunt Gail, Trenton, and extended family; as well as your Hyde Park ('85!) and military family—even Lady Sunshine—miss you. We know in the end GOD took you home. You tried to protect us, but it was too painful to stay. We will love you always. Know, Shawn, we are okay because we know you are okay in the arms of GOD.

Shawn Keith Poindexter

October 4, 1967 - December 14, 2025