My Aunt Esmie was the glowing center of every room—a woman whose laugh cracked through gloom like sun through storm clouds, whose instinct was always to lift someone else higher. As a sister she was my fierce defender; as a friend she was a vault for every secret and a cheerleader for every dream. When I picture her, I see a big smile, long hair, and the way she’d say “I love you” before hanging up the phone.

Her greatest joy, the Lord and being a mother to Shellyann (35) and Staci (36). Now, with their dad gone for years and Esmie suddenly taken from us, the girls face a world without the two people who loved them first. Even in our grief, I hear Esmie’s voice urging us to keep their hearts safe, to prove that family is bigger and stronger than tragedy.

So, we’re coming together to raise the funds needed for a dignified farewell—one that mirrors the care she gave all of us. Every contribution, big or small, helps us cover funeral costs, settle the bills she left behind, and create a modest trust for Staci and Shellyann’s future. I promise to steward each dollar with integrity: transparent updates, careful budgeting, and GRATITUDE written in capital letters. If my aunt ever made you smile, or if her story simply touches you, please stand with us now; together we can give her a proper farewell.