Obituaries 316
Kahlief Myrick, 16, budding clothing designer who loved making people laugh
Growing up in South Philadelphia, Kahlief Myrick started his morning by looking out the window of his house. He loved the outdoors, and he was eager to go to the park or play on the block. “He would also sometimes go to the door, unbeknownst to me,” his mother Brittany Brunson said. “I used to […]
Domonic Billa, 21: A quiet person with a big spirit
When it came to her children and sneakers, Nakisha Billa always stocked up when she found a good deal. After one shopping trip, she and her son Domonic Billa came home with four pairs of sneakers for him thanks to a buy one, get one half off sale. Later that day, one of Domonic’s friends […]
James ‘Jimmy’ McManus, 37: Reunited With First Love Two Months Before His Death
He was the 14-year-old best friend of her little brother. But Rachel Hendricks, then 17, had a feeling about Jimmy McManus. He gelled back his coarse dark hair, wore baggy pants and Vans sneakers, and showed off for her at the skate park. She worked at Walmart in Hatfield and he got a job at […]
Shamir Gilmore, 21, known for his thoughtful gestures
On his 21st birthday, Shamir Gilmore did something unexpected. He gave his mother a gift as a symbol of his gratitude: An artificial purple rose — her favorite color — and said, “Thank you for giving me life.” Almost a year later, Nicole is still amazed at her son’s touching gesture. “There’s not going to […]
Dyewou Scruggs, 20, Social Media Comedian Who Always Made His Presence Known
Chasing laughs during the COVID-19 lockdown, Dyewou Scruggs took life’s ordinary moments and twisted them beyond social conventions. An admirer of comedians Mike Epps, Eddie Murphy and Bernie Mac, Dyewou would cast family members, friends and neighbors in his Instagram skits @wooxbiddy, crafting punchlines, analyzing camera angles and editing wacky footage to entertain his nearly […]
Charles ‘Chuckie’ Maude, 24: ‘He loved those girls’
Charles Maude III was still figuring out what he wanted to do with his life. All he knew was that no matter what, he was going to be the best dad ever. At 17, Charles, or better known as Chuckie, met his girlfriend, Bella Garcia, who at the time already had a three-year-old daughter. The […]
Khyree Dyches, 21: ‘We were really tight, he was my dog’
Khyree Dyches and his cousin grew up watching his grandfather build anything he could think of, whether it was redoing the kitchen, making wooden African statues or sewing clothes. “We’d help him paint, he taught us how to sew, and we were always learning,” said Khyree’s cousin Asia. “He always taught us stuff.” Since they […]
Allen Taylor, 34: ‘I wanted to see him happy’
When Allen Taylor was a child, he received a toy car for Christmas called Tantrum. “The wheels would spin around like crazy like the car was having a tantrum,” Allen’s older sister Shameka Sawyer said with a laugh. “Tantrum” became Allen’s nickname, and when he started rapping, he shortened it to “Tanch.” Shameka is a […]
Shamir Gilmore, 21, known for his thoughtful gestures
On his 21st birthday, Shamir Gilmore did something unexpected. He gave his mother a gift as a symbol of his gratitude: An artificial purple rose — her favorite color — and said, “Thank you for giving me life.” Almost a year later, Nicole is still amazed at her son’s touching gesture. “There’s not going to […]
‘Preacher John’ Rawls, 59, Ladies Man Who Uplifted Those in Need
In church, they called him “Preacher John.” John Rawls, who became a born-again Christian later in life, extolled the merits of saving yourself and changing your life before the coming apocalypse. He also penned poems about saving the Earth and odes to his many girlfriends, whom he showered with gifts. “Womanizing — that was his […]
Shahjahan S. McCaskill, 26, an achiever who overcame cancer
The above image, Shahjahan S. McCaskill, was created by artist Stephanie Smith as part of the 2021-2022 Souls Shot Portrait Project exhibition. ______________________________________________________________________________ Shahjahan Shaquar Ali Vaughn McCaskill was born Dec. 26, 1993 and raised by his mother, Najila Zainab McCaskill Ali, in West Philadelphia. When he was three years old, he met Jarell Jackson at […]
Elijah Dobbs-Harvey, 18, Devoted “Uncle Juicy” Who Stood Up to Bullies
By the time he was three days old, Elijah Dobbs-Harvey had already cheated death. Born with neuroblastoma, a very rare cancer that forms in certain types of nerve tissue, Elijah survived a grueling surgery only to be later diagnosed with epilepsy and a severe speech impediment. “He didn’t like it but it was part of […]
Ahmad Morales, 24, a barber who wanted to open his own shop
The above image, Ahmad, Resting In Light, was created by artist Emily Parker as part of the 2021-2022 Souls Shot Portrait Project exhibition. _____________________________________________________________________________ When Ahmad Morales was 14, his mother Tamika taught him how to cut hair. A longtime hairdresser and salon owner, she wanted him to have a skill that he could use […]
Jayson Adams, 29, new father whose funeral was disrupted by a shooting
Jayson Adams was everyone’s favorite, and that was especially true when it came to his cousin, Chrissy Baldwin. Jayson and Chrissy’s mothers are sisters, and they had a close bond. He’d do whatever was necessary to make her laugh. “He was a laid-back type, and he was very funny,” Chrissy said. “He was definitely a […]
Tahj Williams, 17, tireless team player, member of JROTC
As a wrestler, Tahj Williams was tinier than all of his competitors in the lowest weight class. Teachers often mistook him for someone’s younger brother, even though he could quiet down a chaotic classroom and hold his own among a group of coaches bantering in their office. Tahj wasn’t naturally gifted at sports but he […]
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