Shama Cartwright

A Life of Service, Legacy, and Truth

Shama Shammah Cartwright, a devoted father, Navy veteran, and visionary entrepreneur, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2026, following a courageous and private battle with Stage IV cancer. Known for his unwavering strength, Shama chose to carry his burden quietly, motivated by a deep desire to continue uplifting those around him without cause for worry.

• Born In Chicago, Illinois, Shama was the beloved only child of Jacqueline Cartwright Johnson (originally of Walnut Grove, Mississippi) and James S. Cartwright (originally of Nashville, Tennessee).He was the beloved grandson of Magdlene Mayberry and Will Joe Cartwright.

The Alchemist of Augusta

Shama's Journey as a cornerstone of Augusta's culture truly began with a deep foundation of mentorship. He spent 7 years mastering his craft under All Baba and Sister Sala during the early days of the city's only Afrocentric shop. When All Baba decided to close his doors, Shama knew the community could not lose that light.

in a moment of profound faith, he stood at a crossroads with only $1,800 in his pocket. Faced with the choice to buy a car for transport, an apartment for comfort, or a shop for his calling, ho chose the shop. For 24 years, that leap of faith blossomed into the longest-running Black-owned business in downtown Augusta.

Shama was a man of boundless energy and work ethic; for 11 years, he balanced bartending while simultaneously working and managing his store. As a master herbalist, he healed his community through free consultations, herbs, and remedies. A deeply spiritual man, Shama was baptized at the age of 16 as a born-again Christian, and he walked just as proudly in his Christian faith as he did in the spirit of his Rastafarian levity, recognizing the divine connection in both paths.

He prided himself on using his hands to create, crafting beautiful jewelry out of copper and gemstones, and hand-sewing his own dashikis and clothing. He was an author of three books, a brown belt in Aikido Jujutsu, and the undisputed family Scrabble master.

Military Service

Before his decades of entrepreneurship, Shama served his country with honor in the United States Navy from 1988 to 1992. His time at sea instilled in him a discipline, global perspective, and strength that he carried into every facet of his life.

A Legacy of Kindness

In the community, he was known simply as "Kind." Shama lived by the philosophy that being kind is far greater than being "nice." While a nice person might offer comfort through easy words, Shama believed in the power of the genuine-telling those he loved what they needed' to hear, standing firm in truth whether it was right or wrong.

Family

His greatest pride was his family. He leaves behind a legacy of strength, creativity, and entrepreneurship in his three children: his sons, **Chauncey Taylor-Cartwright** and **Caleb Cartwright" and his daughter, **Fafa"*. He is survived by his mother, Jacqueline; his five grandchildren; his aunts, Marie Johnson, Dr. Judy D. Cummings (married to D. Charles), and Genene Lewis; his uncle, Jesse W. Cartwright; and a special friend, Toni Dean. He also leaves behind a vast community of cousins, friends, and individuals he mentored, healed, and inspired.