To know Shantae is to love her. She always had a smile on her face that could light up any room. Being a dance teacher Shantae had an extraordinarily strong bond with her students and their safety was her top priority. Shantae was also a difference maker, she got to experience what it is like to shift and shape the lives of children. Whenever Shantae was missing you could find her at the dance studio or dancing quietly in her room.

With the passing of every moment, of every day, life is not, and will never be, the same, without Shantae. We feel as if the sadness and emptiness of losing her will never lessen, and there will never be a return to wholeness. As the days, weeks, and months go by we have learned that we still have things to be thankful for.

Shantae had the chance to live and experience her dreams, even though she was only here for 28 years. She had experienced that amazing, joyful feeling in her everyday life, the moment she decided to be a dancer. Very few people in this world ever get the chance to achieve their dreams, or get the chance to live them, every day of their lives in such a short time. We are immensely proud knowing that we have supported her dreams throughout her entire journey and most importantly, we are all tied to, all the beauty she brought to, and produced in this world.

Along with her passion for dance, Shantae was very committed to building and maintaining a strong relationship with God. She strongly believed that everything that happens in life was meant to be. Her favorite saying was if things did not work out the way you expected them to go, that means it was not meant to be. God knows what he is doing, God got you!

Shantae was a little firecracker, very selfless, talented, inspiring, ambitious, and a perfectionist, who always remained very humble. Besides being a mentor, teacher, and professional dancer, she was also an amazing daughter, cherished sister, beloved aunt, great niece, wonderful cousin, and dear friend.

As a family, we were given an abundance of priceless memories from Shantae, which hurts so much to acknowledge in the beginning, but at some point in time memories will become a comfort and in the years to come, a most treasured possession.

Shantae was a young woman of few words, but her actions spoke loud and clear. Her message to all was, to start striving, enjoy your life to the fullest, start doing what you love to do, do not worry about anything, and go for your dreams, God got you! So, as we remembered Shantae’s passion and gift, we also acknowledged that opportunity is the only thing that separates us as humans. We are very committed to keeping Shantae’s mission and legacy alive, by starting a foundation in her memory which is named, Dance Through Shantae.

Thank you all for your support, prayers, and your words of encouragement. My family and I could not have done it without you all.