Profile Text
Lopes (right) with Rozonda Thomas and Tionne Watkins in 1995, photo by Prphotos
Birth Name: Lisa Nicole Lopes
Date of Birth: May 27, 1971
Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Date of Death: 25 April, 2002
Place of Death: La Ceiba, Honduras
Ethnicity: African-American, one eighth African-Cape Verdean, one eighth Spanish [Asturian]
Lisa Lopes, known as Left Eye and N.I.N.A., was an American hip hop singer, rapper, songwriter, and producer. She was a member of R&B/hip hop girl-group TLC, until her death, with Rozonda Thomas (Chilli) and Tionne Watkins , and, originally, co-founder Crystal Jones. The group was managed by Perri “Pebbles” Reid . The group was part of musical collective Dungeon Family. Outkast ( André 3000 , Big Boi ), Future , CeeLo Green , Killer Mike , Janelle Monáe , and Rico Wade were also members of Dungeon Family.
Lisa was the daughter of Wanda Denise (Andino) Coleman and Ronald Eugene Lopes. Her surname, Lopes, is Portuguese, and comes from her Cape Verde roots. Lisa and her bandmate Tionne Watkins were cousins through marriage. Lisa’s mother was married to Tionne’s uncle. Lisa had two adopted children.
Lisa’s ancestry was African-American, one eighth Cape Verdean, and one eighth Spanish. Most of the population (about 71%) of Cape Verde is a mix of Sub-Saharan African and European, usually from Portugal and Spain.
Lisa’s paternal grandfather was Charles Manuel “Charlie” Lopes (the son of Emanuel/Manuel Lopes and Almira/Almyra/Alma/Annie Smith). Charles was born in Kinston, Lenoir County, North Carolina. He received the Good Conduct Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the Bronze Star, for his WWII service. Lisa’s great-grandfather Emanuel likely was born on Cape Verde, and was the son of Charlie Lopes and Lenora. Lisa’s great-grandmother Almira was the daughter of Robert Smith and Hattie Taylor.
Lisa’s paternal grandmother was Gladys Bea/Beatrice Bailey (the daughter of Dennis Gordon and Regenia Bailey). Gladys was born in South Carolina, and was African-American.
Lisa’s maternal grandfather was Jose A. Andino (the son of Jose Andino Andion and The Rev. Helen B. Hewlett, born Helen Bernice Blackston). Lisa’s grandfather Jose was born in Pennsylvania. Lisa’s great-grandfather Jose was born in Asturias, Spain. The Rev. Helen was the daughter of Howard Blackston and Anna Mae Jones, who were African-American.
Lisa’s maternal grandmother was named Lillie.
Sources: https://www.youtube.com https://www.youtube.com http://urbanbridgez.com https://mobile.twitter.com
Genealogy of Lisa Lopes – https://www.findagrave.com
Death record of Lisa’s father – https://www.familysearch.org
Lisa’s paternal grandfather, Charles Manuel “Charlie” Lopes, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Death record of Lisa’s paternal great-grandfather, Emanuel/Manuel Lopes – https://www.familysearch.org
Lisa’s paternal great-grandmother, Almira/Alma/Annie Smith, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Death record of Lisa’s paternal great-grandmother, Almira/Alma/Annie (Smith) Lopes Harris – https://www.familysearch.org