Rukiya Towers Gbane

Celebration of Rukyia Tonae Nicole Towers-Gbane

Rukiya Tonae Nicole was born on January 7, 1977, to her parents Fred Towers and Cherry Hatchett, in Denver, Colorado. She grew up with her siblings, Kerry, Cherelle, Tenesha, and Jemelle. She and Kerry had an inseparable bond. The bond Ruyika had with her mother, Cherry, was such a beautiful connection. They did absolutely everything together. Rukiya would Cherry driving around town and they would be gone for hours.They even got their licenses together. If you called one of them it was guaranteed that they were with each other.

Rukiya matriculated through the Denver Public School system, attending Wyman and Ebert Elementary schools, Morey Middle school, and graduated from East High school, home of the Angels! She met her best friend, Shawnette Gillespie in elementary school. Their friendship lasted over 30 years. She was also blessed to gain close friends while attending East who stood with her through life’s journey. Rukiya loved the Lord and gave her life to Christ at the age of ten. She attended Zion Baptist Church and was baptized by the late Reverend Dr. Wendell T. Liggins.

Rukiya was more than an exceptional student. She effortlessly pulled easy A’s and B’s and constantly proved her worth to teachers that questioned her intelligence. She received an award from the Ninth Annual P.A.N.D.A Games in 1995 and received an award from “We the People” in Washington.  She applied to all the HBCUs that she desired to get into, with Howard being her first option, but because of life’s circumstances she accepted the invitation to attend Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. She studied business for a year at Hampton and then transferred to Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA. During her schooling, she participated in an internship at Oppenheimer funds.  She graduated from college in 1999 with a 4.0 GPA and was immediately recruited by Charles Schwab. She celebrated 23 years of service and held the position of a Trade Resolution Manager (Stock Manager) at the time of her passing.

Rukiya started dating the love of her life, Abe Gbane in 1997 and they wed in 2005. To their union, two beautiful daughters were born. Fateema and Ameena were Ruyika’s pride and joy. Her abundant love for her girls shined through everything she did. She devoted her life to making sure they were happy and taken care of. The bond they shared with their mother was beautiful. It was important to Rukiya to make memories and spend as much time as possible with them.

Rukiya was a very supportive mother, physically and emotionally and always encouraged Fateema’s passion for music and theatergoing. She went to every show and bragged on her baby, no matter the role.  Fateema loved the memories created when they cooked together. Ameena even found a new passion for cooking. Ruyika even signed her up for cooking classes of her own.

Rukiya loved making people laugh (those deep heart felt laughs). She enjoyed playing Just Dance, singing karaoke, going shopping, watching movies, and spending every single moment with the girls.

Rukiya was a strong, independent, headstrong, and resilient woman. Her spirit will continue to live through all of us. You couldn’t know Rukiya without loving her. She will be painfully missed by everyone who knew and loved her.

She is preceded in death by her father, Fred Towers; two brothers, Charles Towers, and Benjamin Towers; grandparents, Joe Henry Towers, Roberta Towers, Albert Hatchett Jr., and Hazel Hatchett.

Rukiya Towers-Gbane departed in life on June 14, 2022, in Aurora, Colorado. Those left to cherish her beautiful memory are her husband Ibrahim B. A.  Gbane; two beautiful daughters, Fateema A. Gbane, and Ameena M. Gbane; her loving mother Cherry D. Hatchett; her siblings Kerry A. L. (Jamila) Hatchett Sr, Cherelle Barnes, Tenesha Barnes, and Jemelle Barnes and a host of nieces, nephews, aunties, uncles, cousins, and many, many friends.