Obituary of Semaja M. Bowery

Semaja’s Story Semaja Moet Alize Bowery was born on May 12, 1996, in Mt. Holly, NJ, to Shadawn Ruthie Flowers and the late James Andrew Bowery. Though she lost her father as a baby, she was surrounded by love, nurtured by her mother, and guided by her father figure, Brian LaMont Paxton and Grandmother Regina Gayle Piedra. Semaja was educated in the Burlington City Public Schools and proudly graduated from Burlington City High School in 2014. With a passion for helping others, she pursued higher education at Rowan University, aspiring to become a social worker. From an early age, Semaja accepted Christ and was a member of New Life Cathedral in Riverside, NJ, under the leadership of Pastor Deborah Flowers. She had a deep love for music, and in her spare time, she found joy in cooking and baking. Family meant everything to Semaja—she cherished babysitting her loved ones and was known for her bold spirit, lively personality, having fun and the ability to always speak her mind. The greatest joy of Semaja’s life was being blessed to become a mother. She welcomed her son, Chance James Alexander Little, on October 25, 2019, and embraced motherhood with unwavering love and devotion. She also shared a special bond with Chance’s sister, Ariel Little. A true fighter, Semaja bravely battled heart failure for more than five years. On March 30, 2025, she peacefully gained her wings. Semaja leaves to cherish her memory, her beloved son Chance Little, her fiancé Franklin Lewis, her mother Shadawn Flowers and siblings Nasir Morton and Shania Paxton of Florence, NJ; grandparents Janice Jackson, Bryan Smith, Regina Piedra and James Hodges; great-grandmother Virginia Hodges; aunts - Shamello Jackson, Arlethia Jackson, Shannon Hodges, Taquana Brown, Rebecca Brown, Arlene Flowers, Sharron Hunter, LaNette Bowery, Roz Bowery, Jesse Ware, and Catherine Johnson; uncles - JaBree Jackson, Donshea Joyner, Ky Hodges, James Hodges, Taquan Lee, Michael Bowery (Lisa), Eddie Flowers (Deborah), John Bowery, Joseph Smith, and Anthony Smith; her Godmother Lenora Browning, God sister Taj Hatcher, God brother Daniel Knight Jr., a host of cousins; her best friend Brittany Wells, and friends Craig Curry and Alexus. Her memory will forever be cherished by her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her.