Yolanda (Lamb) Rebecca White was the seventh child and third daughter of Carlton Sandy Simmons and Edna Eva Simmons. She was preceded in death by her mother Edna, her father Carlton and her brother Carlton Lloyd. Yolanda was a beloved sister, friend, author, teacher, athlete, musician, poet, political activist and an exceptional scholar. Yolanda was a very bright and well-rounded child, and later a highly accomplished woman. She was born and raised in the neighborhood of Cherry Hill in Baltimore, Maryland. It was here that both religious and ecular education was rooted. Lamb attended religious services, Saturday and Sunday mornings because both parents, of different faiths, desired to instill in their children the foundation of a successful life and a connection with God. Early in Lamb's teenage years, she became the organist at her father's church, Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church. As an adult, she "took the chair," in her mother's church, along with her niece Nina E. Ball, and became a member of The Church of God and Saints of Christ. From the beginning, her parents and teachers knew Yolanda was a brilliant and gifted student. However, her parents would not allow her to skip a grade regardless of the insistence of her teachers in order to keep her well socialized. After elementary school, Yolanda attended Calverton Junior High in Baltimore City. Yolanda's brilliance and promise earned her a place at Western High School and she gradated in 1972. After excelling at the prestigious all-girls high school, Yolanda was accepted at Princeton University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Politics and graduated Cum Laude, with honors in 1977. Yolanda's drive for academic success and excellence was unstoppable and nothing could deter her from her path towards greatness. She was accepted to Yale University, in 1977, where she earned a Masters degree in Chinese Politics, and Political Philosophy and a Ph.D. in International RelationslPolitical Science by 1982, all before the age of 26! Throughout Yolanda's professional career, she was noted and appreciated for her exemplary communication kills, computer savvy and her gift with languages. Because of these skills, Yolanda traveled in political circles and was offered a position in the Nixon Administration. Yolanda used her intellect and status in many ways; both inside and outside of the classroom. She authored three books: The New Arms Control-Mindedness of the Chinese, Rumination of a Soul Sister on Human Behavior and The Road Backfrom Serfdom. In 1994, Yolanda worked for The Afro-American Newspaper in Baltimore, Maryland. A few of her featured articles included, "The Black Influence on Foreign Policy" November 12, 1994; "Black Self-Hatred as a Barrier to Black Progress, Parts 1 and 2" in January 2001. From 2002-2006, Yolanda worked at the University of Maryland Medical Center, as a researcher and interviewer. She wrote "Psychology of a Terrorist" in September 2008. Yolanda also wrote for the Baltimore Chronicle which was an Internet newspaper. One of the most outstanding and controversial articles written by Yolanda was entitled "An Assessment of Condoleezza Rice: Rice as Brown Still Comes from White." In 2010, Yolanda launched a new work on President Obama entitled, "In the Beginning and Then There was Obama." Yolanda served as both adjunct and assistant professor at institutions such as Wagner College, New School University, American Military University, and The Free Education School. She taught courses in: Management for Social Workers, International Relations and International Cultural Affairs, The Politics of Diversity, and one specific course entitled "Obama Power: Personal, Political, and Economic Transformation in the Urban Diaspora." Always known as a generous person, Lamb loved to help others. Most recently she volunteered at the Veterans hospital giving out books. Lamb was a well rounded woman who had many passions and loves. Her love of animals began with her first pet, a mixed- breed dog she named Tina. She continued to keep pets into her adulthood with a cat named Bleu. She was adept at many sports and recreational activities including biking, crabbing and fishing. She later took up track and was known to habitually run five miles a day! Competitively, she often triumphed over her older siblings in Badminton and Croquet, and showed good sportsmanship towards their defeat. Lamb loved listening and dancing to music. She was also proficient in playing the oboe, piano, and organ. Her favorite musical artists included The Beatles, Stevie Won&r and Elton John. Lamb also loved live Country and Rock music and would often go to greats lengths to enjoy their live performances. Yolanda met Edward Clarence White Jr., her future husband, in 1972 while at Princeton University. The two were later married in the Princeton Chapel in 1978 and enjoyed sixteen years oflove, adventure,living well, holidays and traveling. Later, Ed and Lamb amiably agreed to separate and finally divorce in 1994. Ed loved Yolanda very much and was a constant support and friend to her throughout their relationship. Yolanda had several lifelong friends Carla, Leslie, Joan and Jamie all of who she met during her studies. Though not in constant contact with them, they still remained close to Lamb's heart over the years. Compassionately, many of Lamb's closet friends were in the family. Family and travel were two things Lamb loved dearly. She had a very special relationship with her mother, Edna. When Lamb moved to New York, where she later lived with her husband, she would talk to her mother almost daily. Lamb was also extremely close to her sister Colotta and the two would talk daily over the many years of their relationship. They took vacations together with her nieces Mia and Nina. In fact, Lamb was godmother to Nina. Yolanda was a world traveler who spoke both Mandarin and Russian. She ventured to Africa, Brazil, Ireland and China. Lamb was also known to treat her loved ones to travel excursions. She vacationed with her mother in London and generously brought back souvenirs for the family. Lamb also included her sisters and nieces in trips to Aruba, Puerto Rico, Canada, Hawaii, Jamaica and Florida. Although a worId traveler, one of her favorite pastimes was her family's backyard cookouts. As fate would have it, in Lamb's late twenties, she was diagnosed as bi-polar and paranoid schizophrenic. Her family was informed of her diagnosis and how it would compromise both her quality of life, her brilliant mind, and eventually would worsen with age. Although the family rallied to ease the ongoing progression of the disease and encourage that Lamb take her medications daily. This slowly degenerative disease caused her to believe she did not need medication. Consequently, her behavior began to alienate her from the family against their wishes. Nevertheless, the family continued to support and meet her needs though it was difficult to keep track of her whereabouts. Lamb will be remembered dearly by her family for her love, drive, her selflessness, and especially for her laughter and zest for life. Lamb is survived by three brothers, Edwin Daniel, Michael Peter, and Raphael Gerod; two sisters, Edna Denise and Colotta Patricia Moore; sisters-in-law, Sharon Simmons, Marsha Simmons and Janet Simmons; a brother-in-law, Gregory Moore; nephews, Brian (wife Rochelle) and Michael David (wife Jennifer); nieces, Tamara Scott, Tracey Simmons, Kelli Ramjit, JeNelle Parker (husband David), Cantrece Monge, Kimberly Kerfoot (husband Scott), Mia Beauttah (husband Kiragu) and Nina Ball; aunts, Lucy Pebbles, Bernice Johnson, Carlene Johnson and Eunice Johnson and one uncle, Seth Johnson Sr., and a host of cousins and great nephews, nieces and friends.