Tahirah AbuBakr

Tahirah AbuBakr (nee River Lee Adams) transitions at 86. 

Tahirah AbuBakr, beloved mother, community organizer, spiritual teacher, and natural food healer returned to the ancestors triumphantly on Saturday, March, 14, 2026 in Indianapolis, IN. 

Born River Lee Adams, Tahirah landed earthside in late March 1939, in Pocahontas, MS, the eldest of seven children. 

Tahirah’s life was dedicated to the pursuit of Truth, the mastery of love, and devotion to guiding herself and others to physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wholeness. The various chapters of her life led her to set down roots in New Orleans, LA; New Rochelle, NY; Indianapolis, IN, and St. Croix, USVI. In all places, she built community and developed deep, lasting connections rooted in her life’s work.

Our Beloved Elder, an initiated Ifa-Yemoja Priestess and a practitioner of African and Native American shamanism, was known for her devoted guidance and instruction of both youth and elders. She carried a deep love for lively, soul-stirring conversations, and expressed her creativity through innovative cooking—crafting both plant-based and traditional dishes with equal care and brilliance.

Iya Tahirah was revered for her no-nonsense honesty, a truth-teller whose words were both grounding and transformative. As the co-founder of the St. Croix Council of Elders, she was deeply committed to uplifting the role of elders, working tirelessly to raise their profile and support the evolution of their place in our modern world.

She is survived by three sisters (Lucille Green, Priestess Miriam Chamani, and Malika Adams-Johnson), 7 children (Cynthia States, Jimmie States, Jr., David States, Carolyn Reneé Morris, Muhammed Wadud-Amit, Zubair AbuBakr, and Talha AbuBakr); 14 grandchildren, and a host of great-grandchildren, and found family the world over. 

Flowers may be sent to 115 W Woodcrest Dr, Jackson, MS 39212, or, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nourishing Futures in the name of Iya Tahirah. 

Services will be held in Jackson, MS (April 10, Old Trace Park, 11am CST) and St. Croix (April 18th, 4pm EST, The Frederiksted Pool). Attire is ceremonial royal blue.