Sharon Solomon Cruz

April 3, 1955 - October 1, 2018

Dr. Sharon Romaine Solomon Cruz, authentically nicknamed “Charmaine” was welcomed into heaven on Monday, October 1, 2018 in Valley Stream, New York at age 63. Her transition came much too early for her loved ones. Dr. Solomon Cruz attended public schools in Sumter and Kingstree South Carolina, and then graduated from Southeastern High School in Detroit. Dr. Solomon Cruz then earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Metropolitan College of New York (formerly, Audrey Cohen College of Human Services), and her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology from Long Island University. Dr. Solomon Cruz was employed with the City of New York for over two decades. Dr. Solomon Cruz also flexed her entrepreneurship with opening an ethnic hair braiding business called Platts, managed a funk band out of Panama City, FL, sponsored fashion shows in South Carolina and New York, and opened a community health clinic in Queens, NY which is still thriving. Dr. Solomon Cruz earned her education and maintained her careers all while being a loving and faithful wife, mother, nana, sister, and friend. Dr. Solomon Cruz was an effervescent personality full of joy, enthusiasm, realized promise and integrity; quick-witted, blessed with tremendous common sense, an iron will and a wonderful sense of humor. Dr. Solomon Cruz loved traveling with her husband, Allen, dancing, cooking exotic meals, hosting cook-outs and opening her home to friends and relatives in need, supporting her family 24/7/365. Humorously, Dr. Solomon Cruz also enjoyed a not-so-secret special fondness for Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts which most of her grandchildren inherited by always taking several boxes back to New York with her on every trip south. Dr. Solomon Cruz was a woman of God who gave her life to Christ at an early age. Dr. Solomon Cruz was a devoted member of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Sharon Solomon Cruz’s personality was warm, welcoming and genuine. She has now gone to her celestial home to be reunited with family and friends already residing there. We will always celebrate her life and contributions here on earth and recognize the greatness of her impact. Her loved ones were graced by her presence, devastated by her absence, but filled with cherished memories. She was preceded to the next life by her parents, Martha S. Solomon, RN and Albert C. Solomon, and Thelma Vann, her Brother, Michael Vann, and her favorite brother-in-law Ignacio Cruz, Jr. Dr. Solomon Cruz was the beloved wife of Allen Cruz, Daughter of Carl (Gracie) Alexander of Brooklyn, NY; mother of four devoted daughters Annette(Reginald) Douglas of Valley Stream, NY; Chiquita (Stevie) Solomon of Queens, NY; Dana (Jason) Grant of Dayton, OH and April Jaysen) DeLandro of Hampton, VA; Monica Perkins (daughter-like) of Birmingham, AL; thirteen grandchildren---Malik Douglas, Ny’Keem Benjamin, Ny’Gel Benjamin, Ashleigh Solomon, Da’Najah Benjamin, Ny’Jae Grant, Kevin Edwards, Reginald Douglas Jr, Jayden DeLandro, Bryce Douglas, Justin DeLandro, Lauryn DeLandro and LeahSarai DeLandro; two expectant great grandchildren; two sisters: Michelle Vann of Atlanta, GA and Renee Alexander of New York, NY; Martha Green (like a sister) of Sumter, SC; eight brothers: Marcus Solomon of Bishopville, SC; Ronald (Debra) Solomon of Myrtle Beach, SC; Arnold (Michelle) Vann of CoCoa, FL; Donald Vann of Detroit, MI; Sean Vann of Detroit, MI; Keith (Patricia) Vann of Nashville, TN; Kevin Vann of Detroit, MI; Vernon Vann of Atlanta, GA; two uncles---Alphonso (Leslie) Alexander of Las Vegas, NV; Robert Alexander (Johnnie Mae) of Central Islip, NY and a host of extended family members and friends.