Obituaries 344
Paris Gary, 31, barbershop owner and lover of motorcycles
You could say Paris Gary was a gentle giant—something his mother knew to be true from the very beginning. “Paris was born premature at eight months weighing a whopping 10 pounds,” said his mother, Denise Wells. And her son, who she called Peedi, had a whole lotta energy. As Paris continued to grow, his kindergarten […]
Shahid Davis, 19, planned to further his education
Life was moving in a positive direction for Shahid Quayyum Ahzire Davis. After getting into trouble as a juvenile, he applied himself and was awarded a two-year scholarship to La Salle University. After graduating from Philadelphia North Academy in 2010, though, he told his mother that he wanted to defer his college enrollment for a […]
Michael L. Miller, 23, excellent student who was about to start working at Einstein hospital
Michael L. Miller Jr. was an amazing person who grew from a big goofy kid who played around all of the time into a stellar student. And finally into a young man with big dreams, a close-knit family and a new job on the horizon. “He had a smile that warmed your soul,” said his […]
Rashee Chiverton, 43, a protector to his family who also lost a son to gun violence
Rashee “Shay” Ashley Chiverton couldn’t help but watch over those close to him, whether it be his own family or even any of the neighbors on his tight-knit block. Once, when a neighbor locked herself out, he climbed through her window to help her get back in. “Most neighbors are elderly, and he made sure […]
Isiah Brown, 22, a well-liked guy with a sentimental heart
When Isiah Tariq Brown was a senior at Olney High School in 2009, he was voted the person who got along with everyone. “He loved his friends,” his mother Nicole Brown said. “He was outgoing and very generous and compassionate. He was a leader amongst his friends.” Isiah was born Jan. 26, 1991 in Philadelphia […]
Nashawn Jones, 25, the funniest rapper who never got the chance to make it
It was Nashawn Jones’s dream to become the next rap artist who made it out of Philadelphia. “He always said he was going to buy me a big house and move me out of the city,” said his mother, Patricia Jones. “And I was looking forward to his dream becoming his reality one day soon.” […]
Rahmeer Jackson, 20, protector of the family and excellent chess player
In the eyes of his younger sisters and cousins, Rahmeer Jackson was more than just a big brother figure; he was a source of unwavering love and protection. His actions spoke volumes, as he embraced the role of a guardian with sincerity. Whether on a crowded city street or in a quiet neighborhood, he had […]
Andrew Stengel, 29, top tier salesman and lover of classic cars
As the only child of a dad who worked in the hotel industry, Andrew Joseph Stengel would travel the world. He even lived for a time as a kid in the Marriott Marquis in New York City, where he learned at an early age how to navigate to and from school on the subway independently, […]
Brian ‘Machi’ Lawhon II, 30: “It’s not goodbye. It’s ‘see you later.'”
The best day of Brian Michael Lawhon II’s life was the day he became a father. He was still in high school, but he and his girlfriend, Jennifer, doted on the baby girl they named Ayanna, which means “pretty flower,” and they made it work. “He was young, but he continued school, and he worked […]
Tyeece Lovett, 21, loved helping his family—even to clean
Even though he was the baby of the family, Tyeece Lovett was always known as Poppa. “It’s because he was the main man who held everybody together no matter what the situation was,” said his mom, Tanya Anderson, as she cried. “He was our everything.” Before he was killed, he had just moved into an […]
Marc Anthony Santiago-Moyer, 24: ‘What’s our million-dollar move today?’
“What’s up, family? So what’s our million-dollar move today?” It’s a phrase Marc-Anthony Santiago Moyer would say often, and now his little brother, Ben, carries on the tradition in the mornings when he comes down for breakfast. The homage shouldn’t come as a surprise, because even though they were born 17 years apart, they spent […]
Jordan Hayward, 21, firefighting trainee who went to church every Sunday
When most of his high school classmates were waffling about what to do with their lives, Jordan James Marquise Hayward already knew his calling—to become a professional firefighter. It made perfect sense to his family and friends, who say Jordan’s burning desire to help others never stopped. Becoming a firefighter in Philadelphia takes considerable preparation […]
Brandon Thomas, 24, fiercely talented boxer who still appreciated his ‘momma love’
Brandon Thomas was a teenager when he got into boxing, training up to five days a week even as he grew older. His mother, Theresa Thomas, recalls heading to gymnasium in New Jersey, the way its atmosphere hung heavy with the smell of stale sweat and the silent intensity of the impending match. When her […]
Khalil Thomas Smith, 33, ‘would give you the skin off his bones, not just the shirt off his back’
Anyone who knew Khalil Thomas Smith knew he was one of the most generous people around. He would host cookouts, paid for out of his own pocket, for his birthday and Fathers’ Day. Every year he would host a large community event where everything was free, including food and entertainment. And he would go to […]
Ameya Spratley, 28, ‘only child, best friend’ whose name lives on in domestic abuse center
When she was a feisty, caring child, Ameya Spratley would bring home stray cats and dogs and nurse them back to health. So it was no surprise the her father, William Spratley, when she told him she was expecting her first child at age 16. Though it would be a challenge, she knew she had […]
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