In Loving Memory of Shawana Willis

Hello, my name is Zahleek Willis. A senior, majoring in Mechanical Engineering Technology at Virginia State University. This past Wednesday night, my beautiful mother Shawana Willis passed away. As I break down in tears while writing this note. I can not help but reminisce about the great times I enjoyed with my mom. She was a rockstar that helped any and everyone around her in any way she could. I miss my mom so much, this still feels unbelievable. She was supposed to see me graduate in May. I expressed to her the last time we spoke earlier this week. That I was getting my degree for her and I could not wait for her to see me walk across the stage with everything that has happened these past couple of years. I feel like that opportunity has been stolen from me.

I am a twin, and my brother, Zahleil Willis, is living with my mother. My mother would have seizures at month's end. She was a single mother taking care of her children. One day she expressed to us that if she were to pass away, the house would go to Zahleil. This donation is to help cover the expenses for the memorial, cremation, living expenses, school expenses, and necessities. Anything would be a big help as we take our time to grieve and remember our beautiful angel.

Thank you.

Update 1/6/23

I wanted to take the time to update the gofundme for several reasons but the main reason is to shine a light on mental health. My mother passed due to suicide in the vehicle that she and my brother were using together. As much as she smiled at everyone, she was hurting inside. It hurts me to know this. I would talk to my mom very often. She was and still is my best friend. Every time I would talk to her I would ask if she was okay and if there was anything she needed from me. She would reply no she is fine but I would still do any and everything I could to help her in any way shape or form. My mom did not like asking for help. Not only from me but from others around her. She would make sure that the people around her were always good before focusing on her well-being. My mom was a hero and a fighter. She would turn my rainy days into bursts of sunshine and rainbows. I love and miss my mom so much. I was just on the phone with her two days before her passing and I let her know how difficult college has been and that I was only finishing my degree for her. She laughed and said thank you. Now, it is my mission to finish off my year strong for her.

If you or anyone knows someone that is always the strong one during challenging times. Please check on them. Make sure they know that they do not have to just rely on themselves. Hold your loved ones and friends tight because we are all going through things. Some more than others. But that does not mean that we cannot be there for one another. Have patience for one another. My mother would have seizures from month's end. With her not wanting to ask for help, it was hard for her to after having an episode. But my brother and I still did everything we could to help nurse my mother back to good health. It is the strongest ones around us that are hurting the most inside without opening up about it.

A big factor in my mom's seizures would be caused due to a lot of stress. We made sure that we did our best to contribute to her bills from an early age. She would never let us know how much they were specifically, just if she needed help or not. Today we looked into how much some of her bills are currently. They all have passed due to very high balances and we are in need of a new vehicle. I have taken a photo of some bills like the electric, gas, medical, school and water bill.

My brother and I are not only still grieving the loss of our mother. But are also very stressed about funeral and memorial preparations and bills. We want to lay our mother to rest beautifully and peacefully. We just need some help to do so. I want to say thank you to everyone who has shared and donated. It means the world! Please, check on your loved ones. Make sure that they are not going through things on their own. Even if they do say they do not need help. Find a way to help them still. I love you mom, thank you, everyone.