ShaKira De' Na Dalrymple

ShaKira DèNa Dalrymple was born to the late Gèjuan Dalrymple and Nakeisha Keahey-Smith on January 14, 1991, on Long Island in West Islip, New York. ShaKira was the oldest of her five siblings. After graduating from North Babylon High School, ShaKira pursued her passion for working with children as a substitute teacher’s assistant in the Wyandanch School District. She loved working with special needs children because she wanted to advocate for those who did not have a voice. ShaKira was a fighter from the start. Living 32 years with sickle cell, she developed an extraordinarily strong will and positive outlook on life. She never wanted anyone to worry about her and often braved her sickle cell crises alone. You would have never known she was battling sickle cell unless she told you. Eight years ago, she moved back to Charlotte, North Carolina. To know her was to love her. She spoke freely from her heart; she was a great friend to those closest to her; and a loving companion. ShaKira believed in giving everyone a second chance. She spent her spare time watching Lifetime and Disney movies, traveling, collecting sneakers, playing games on her iPad, or just sitting outside in the backyard enjoying the weather. She loved a good pasta dish and had recently taken up the challenge of learning to fluently speak Spanish. ShaKira was preceded in death by her father Gèjuan Dalrymple; grandmother Shelton Faulk; grandfather Scott Dalrymple, sister Katrina Dalrymple; great grandmother Beatrice Anderson; cousin Michael “Mizzy” Anderson; and niece Saige Jolie Berry. She leaves behind to cherish her memory: her mother Nakeisha Keahey-Smith and stepfather Ronald Smith, grandmother Linda Keahey, aunts Kira (Andrew) Byers and Gwendolyn Keahey, sisters Ciara Smith, Layia and Harmony, brothers Gèjuan Dalrymple and GèMir, her cousins Dondre Berry and Joseph Mike Jr., partner Wayne Toney, a host of family and close friends. Special Messages To my “Baby Girl.” It truly has been an honor, privilege, and joy to have you as my daughter. You’ve shown me a freedom, a joy, and a fearlessness towards life I’ve never seen before. I’ve learned so much from you during our glorious time together. I promise you that I’ve implemented these lessons into my daily life. I’ll tell you all about it when I see you in heaven. Until then, I’ll carry you forever in my heart, mind, and soul. Thank you for enhancing my life “Baby Girl.” -Ronald “Stepdad” My hear is full of the joy of the Lord Jesus who gave me the joy that no one else could when he allowed you to enter in our lives and give the happiness and laughter you gave us these 32 years. Blessed are we with you in our hearts now and forever until we see you again with Christ Jesus. -Grandma Linda I will love you forever in life and death; I got you! -Your Poppy I am glad to have been able to rub shoulders with you, Poppy. You were not only outspoken but also very decisive when it came to what you wanted, and nobody could sway that. If I have learned anything from you, it was to be selfless because that is exactly who you were. I appreciate you and you will live on in my heart forever. -Andrew

ShaKira De' Na Dalrymple

January 14, 1991 - May 31, 2023