Al-Hajji Abdullah Muntu (born James William Lawson, Jr.), son of the late James W. Lawson, Sr. and Mary Pearle Allen was born December 3, 1942, in Marianna, Pennsylvania.

Muntu served in the Navy and Vista/Peace Corps, received a Bachelor's degree from Cheney University and a Master of Education from Antioch University. After working 35 years as an educator, 33 of which were spent teaching at Longstreth Elementary in Philadelphia, Muntu retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Muntu was committed to civil and human rights and community service .  He spent his early adult life engaging the community for the empowerment of the disadvantaged. He was a volunteer member of Concerned Black Men, Inc. of Philadelphia.  Muntu was a track enthusiast; he was a member of the track team while attending Cheney University, he coached youth in the community and ran several local marathons.  Muntu enjoyed traveling and riding his custom built motorcycle. He was passionate about African and Black History and enjoyed collecting antiques.  Known for his devotion to family, he spent a considerable amount of time researching his ancestry and visiting his elders to receive oral history lessons. His friends and family will remember his love for sharing stories and memories.

After a pilgrimage to Mecca, he changed his name to Al-Hajji Abdullah Muntu. At the time of his death he was a member of Masjid-Ar-Rahman in Coatesville, Pennsylvania.

In the early morning hours of Sunday, March 8, 2015, at the age of 72, our beloved Al-Hajji A. Muntu, of Downingtown, formerly of Philadelphia, succumbed to the illness he had battled since late July. He was laid to rest in an Islamic Burial on March 9, 2015, held at the Fairview Cemetery of Coatesville, Pennsylvania.

Surviving are his wife, Hafida Kaddour Amraoui ; three daughters, Kenya A. Fail (Barnel), Ayanna T. Harrison (Roger), Jendayi W. Muntu and Ayinde S. A. Muntu; seven grandchildren (Cameron, Anaya, Sequoya, Aliyah, Amara, Nehemiah and Braylen); five brothers, Kenneth Williams, Sylvester Lawson, Emmett Randy Kinzer, John Banks and Nathaniel Calloway; three sisters, Denise Lawson, Linda Richards and Jocelyn Calloway; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Muntu was proceed in death by both his parents; his beloved uncle, Fred Allen and five siblings; Alvin Lawson, Calvin Lawson, Oakley Lawson, Dannie Lawson, and Josephine Greer.

The family of the late Al-Hajji Muntu would like to take this opportunity to extend their sincere appreciation for the many kind expressions of sympathy received during their hour of bereavement.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting photos, condolences, and tributes be sent to kaajmuntu@gmail.com