Solomon (Bert) Statam 60, of Smyrna, GA suddenly passed away in the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 21, 2023.  He was in the arms of the love of his life, his dear wife, Darius Statam.  Also there were his two daughters, Nehemiah and Dariel, with his three sons there in spirit.  His loss is completely unexpected, and his family is profoundly and irrevocably saddened.  He was a highly treasured, fiercely loyal, and hardworking man, always providing support and guidance to his wife, children, bonus children, and grandchildren.  As a sad but fitting tribute to his memory, his great-grandson will now bear his name: Amir “Solomon” Manora.

Solomon (Bert) was a 10lb bundle of joy, born on September 19, 1963 in his beloved city of Chicago, IL to his parents Warren and Jessie Statam (preceded in death).  He loved and missed his parents very much.  Even though he has now also left this world, he has not left our hearts, our minds, or our spirits.  His legacy will live on in those he left behind, those that he deeply touched, and profoundly impacted. He was a very important man in the lives of his wife, children, and countless others, and he is already greatly missed by everyone.  He leaves behind a loving and devoted wife of 44 years, five amazing children:  Dariel Jessica Ruth (Fee) (43), Derrell LaShawn (42), Simeon Sr. (40), Nehemiah (Miah) Monee (37), and Elijah Jordan (27). Ten thriving grandchildren:  Ameriah Elyse (21), Raashwan Harris (20), Sariah Rene (17), Chelsea Nicole (17), Simone Enyce[t5qqm1]  (16), KeyShawn Robert (14), Yachaamyah Rene (12) Simeon Quran (12), Zyana (9), and Naqayah Judea (3 months) one cherished great-grandson Amir Solomon (unborn). 

He also leaves behind, six beautiful sisters with whom he loved dearly:  Lola, Wilsie (deceased), Charlene, Leah, Rachel (Rick), and Pastor Hannah (Glenn), and two half siblings:  Carol, and Harry.  He also had three loving Aunts:  Nettie, Betty, and Fannie.  As well as five close-nit in-laws:  Naomi, Tabby (Daryl[t5qqm2] ), Adrianne (Cesarie), Bobby, and (honorable mention) Ian.  There were six wonderful bonus children:  Robert, Juanita, Brandy, LaShonda, Clarisse, (honorable mention) Terrence (deceased), and his two cherished god-children Talia and Maya Salcedo.  His dear friends as well, Kindra, Dexter (Decko), Mike, and Kim, Deloris, and Sharon Salcedo.

Solomon, as the sole son, is also the sole uncle to a host of nieces and nephews, where he is affectionately known as “Uncle Bert”.  He was also one of many “Statam cousins”.  Solomon is a highly valued and longtime employee of seventeen years at a popular Atlanta hot wing staple, The Wing Factory.  Having bonded with his work-family for almost two decades, he will be truly missed by them as well.  He leaves behind a host of friends (including Mike, Martin, Jesus) and past colleagues from a long career in the food service industry.

Solomon attended Westinghouse High School in West Chicago,  where he attended culinary classes.  This is where he first connected with his love and passion for the culinary arts, which he then pursued for the next forty+ years.  His favorite foods were all of the typical breakfast staples of eggs, grits, and pancakes with honey and no syrup.  He happily enjoyed eating breakfast at any time of day.  On television, his favorite chef was Bobby Flay. 

Being a City of Chicago native, he loved classic Chicago-style food, like Italian and corned beef sandwiches, hot dogs, Scott Peterson Polishes, gyros, sub sandwiches, tacos…and of course, pizza. 

Let’s go back to 1979, where at the tender ages of 14 and 15, Bert and Darius met at the infamous Englewood Terrace on Chicago’s Southside.  It is from this chance union, that a lifelong bond blossomed into a loving and beautiful relationship.  Bert and Darius have been inseparable for over 43 years, and they were  still the best of friends, even after all that time.  Bert, ever the devoted and staunch family-man, was truly the heartbeat and glue that held his family together, always providing and keeping them by his side.  Bert instilled his deeply held values, work ethics, beliefs, and life lessons into his children and grandchildren, choosing to lead by example. 

Bert and Darius eventually moved from Chicago to Carpentersville, IL.  There, they were surrounded by many of Bert’s relatives providing a sense of family-oriented community and cherished togetherness.  In 1992, he moved his young family to Atlanta, GA where he would remain for the next 30+ years.

To anyone that knew Bert, they’d tell you that he was a huge sports fan.  He absolutely adored the Chicago Bulls, the Bears, and the White Sox.  In his younger years he enjoyed playing basketball, softball, and in his later years, bowling and shooting pool.  Truth be told, he actually really, really, loved football.  For many years he shifted his schedule to be sure that he was home on Sunday and Monday nights so that he could watch football.  Just before the arrival of his youngest son, he would rub his wife’s belly and recite his wishes for her to not go into labor during that year’s playoffs!  He was known amongst his children for being able to recite historical sports facts with ease yet struggling to recall any of their birthdays without taking a pause to think. 

His eldest daughter, Fee, had many precious traditions that she shared with her father, and not being able to continue them leaves her completely distraught.  These traditions included yearly steak dinners at his favorite steakhouse, Longhorn.  They shared these times each year on both Father’s Day and on his birthday.  At the start of the football season in August, she would sponsor family trips to the Mercedes Benz Stadium for the pre-season Atlanta Falcon’s games.  One year (2019) was very special because Bert, Fee, Elijah, and Bert’s grandson KeyShawn were able to do a behind-the-scenes stadium tour that provided access to the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United locker rooms, and the opportunity to toss the ball around on the Falcon’s football field, which Bert really enjoyed.  Fee will mostly miss her dad’s ability to always know the  right thing to say, while being a constant source of encouragement as he supported her endeavors over the years. 

His first-born son, Derrell also misses him dearly.  He and Derrell a great father-son relationship that allowed for so much humor, encouragement, and ongoing positive vibes.  He was very proud of his eldest son, and they really enjoyed each other’s company.  Derrell will mostly miss traveling to Atlanta and sharing a cold beer with his dad. 

Bert’s second oldest son, Simeon, is the son that looks most like him.  Bert admired Simeon’s brilliance, creativity, and talent, and truly enjoyed their time working alongside each other this year.  Simeon will mostly miss their conversations and his visits to watch sports with him on the couch. 

Bert’s youngest son, Elijah, shared in his dad’s love of sports, to the extent of agreeing, in utero, to delay his arrival (his birth!) until after the playoffs. Later, Bert loved watching Elijah play high school football.  Bert and Elijah also really enjoyed baseball and bonded over a shared love for the Atlanta Braves. 

Speaking of his enjoyment of sports, Bert had plans to take a trip later this year with Miah, Fee, and Derrell to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH.  His children are now struggling to accept that they will never be able to enjoy this time with him. 

Miah, his youngest daughter, also shared in her father’s love of sports, especially basketball.  One of her fondest memories of her dad is of him bringing her along with him to play pickup basketball games against his friends.  She will also miss all the dad-induced, gut-busting bouts of laughter.  She truly enjoyed how funny he was, without trying. 

In addition to sports, Bert was also a lover of true crime.  He watched all the most popular shows of the genre, with some of his favorites being Deadly Women, Nightmare Next Door, Snapped, and The First 48.

All in all, Bert was a very independent and casual man, never needing or asking for much.  He was a tried-and-true blue-collar man that cared deeply about the well being of his wife, children, and grandchildren.  He valued quality time with his family, and there are many cherished memories of family reunions and gatherings, holidays, barbeques, graduations, birthdays, and many other familial celebrations. 

Even with that strong bond with his family, he most loved enjoying a semi-retired life at home with his wife, in the comforts of his living room.  He spent his last days very happy, and relishing in his new life as an empty-nester, and looking forward to the arrival of his new great-grandson. 

His family will especially value his last Christmas where everyone gathered at his youngest daughter’s house (Miah) for three days, enjoying good food, music, gift exchanges, and games.  He truly enjoyed himself, and we are so very thankful for those memories.  From all his children, “We miss ‘My Deddy’”.  From all his grandchildren, “We loved you so much ‘PopPop’”.

His departure comes as a great shock and a deep wound, and it is gravely felt by his entire family and countless others who loved him deeply.  This is especially true for his wife, Darius.  Bert was not only a husband.  He was her rock, best friend, confidant, and provider.  In reflecting on her painful loss, she said: “He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, as his wife and mother of his children, owe him a debt greater than I could ever claim, or he will ever know."

The family deeply appreciates your support during this difficult time and asks that you make contributions to our memorial fund (cashapp) at: $feejay301, and contribute by sharing memories of our beloved father on the memorial website.