In Memory of Kate Spade: Suicide Has Many Faces

Kate Spade, an innovative designer that created a fashion empire that transcends generations, was found dead on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in what police characterized as a suicide by hanging. This left many on Social Media to ponder: What does depression look like? What does that woman that has everything look like? What does a woman that suffers from deep sadness and loneliness look like? What does the face of someone who suffers silently with grief and loss look like? What does a person who has contemplated taking their own life look like? That face has many covers. Yesterday, that face was Kate Spade’s.  Oftentimes, you just don’t know the battles that people go through behind closed doors. Stop making assumptions and show compassion. It’s okay to call, text, or send a message to someone just to ask how they are doing. Simple empathy and love makes a difference. Rest in Peace Kate Spade.  May your legacy continue to carry on and may your death encourage others to seek help if needed. Suicide and depression has many faces. #RIP #KateSpade

If you or anyone you know is contemplating suicide please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and seek help. Your life matters. Call 1-800-273-8255 or visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.  The lifeline is available 24 hours everyday.

 

Love,
Simply Ebony

Roderick Dunston Funeral Donations

Thank you Philly in the DMV (Shannon R. Ingram, Emily Brooklyn Williams, Jason Osborne, Roy Davis, Frances Evans Craig, Nah Low, and Tee Cutts); Michelle Benée and the Philly NMDN Tribe; my Ace King Nate Scott; Kenna Williams and the Nomadness Tribe; Redesign U Family (Nikki Robinson); Good Vibes/Vibes Family (Kita Hall and Xtina Penny), Aruba Family (Howard L Davis, Darnell Mingle Garvin and Yvette Sthubert); Team Grogan (David Jeffery Grogan); My Air Force Family (Molly Wilson and Andi Raya); my OES Family (Denise Wright Brinson); my Cousin Robin Walker and all friends/family for your generous donations to Roderick Dunston’s family during this difficult time. Words can’t express how much you mean to me and how truly grateful I am that you have given so compassionately. I love all of you and I am grateful to have your love and support. ❤️🖤❤️

The money is being collected by Linda Price, who is Jordan Dunston’s biological aunt. Jordan is Roderick’s youngest son. Roderick lived with their family for over 10 years, in Maryland. His Son’s Mother Tracie and her family were instrumental in helping Roderick with his stroke recovery and rebuilding his life after the stroke. They peacefully coparented and he was extremely close to her family. He often spoke of spending holiday’s with her family when he was unable to travel home to North Carolina.

Linda created the page to help her sister, her nephew, and Roderick’s Family who are grieving, pay for funeral services for Roderick because he did not have any life insurance. Your generous donations will be used for the following: transporting the body, embalming, grooming the body, hair cut and trim, new clothing and undergarments, rental of casket, use of funeral home for the viewing and service, printing of programs, flowers, rental of facility for repast, food for repast, cleaning of apartment, and thank you notes.

Roderick was an amazing person that gave tirelessly to others. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the GoFundMe campaign. I’m sure he is smiling down and quietly thanking you for your generosity. Thank you for blessing his family.

May Roderick Rest in Heaven.

Love,

Ebony

https://www.gofundme.com/roderick-dunston-funeral-services

In Memory of Roderick Dunston – Pay Attention to the Signs (Stroke Awareness)

My love Roderick Dunston just passed away. Life is too short. Roderick was only 45 years old. He previously survived two major strokes and congestive heart failure. He celebrated his 8th year anniversary of survival on February 22, 2018. He was a big advocate for stroke survivors through his organization the Roderick Dunston Foundation and the American Heart Association.

Roderick was such a good person with a Big Heart. I wish I had more time to tell him how much he meant to me and how much I appreciated him before he passed away. I chose to end our relationship two weeks ago because I thought it was best. He had taken such good care of me following my surgery in January but I thought we both needed to step back and focus on our health and recovery.

This weekend we were supposed to go away to Pennsylvania on a ski trip to see Fantasia and Musiq Soulchild. The following weekend we were supposed to attend the CIAA together. He was a retired NCAA referee and I wanted him to experience the games as a spectator and just enjoy the CIAA experience. He was excited about both trips. We never made it. I’m in shock. Processing. You just never know when it’s time. We all need to be thankful for what we have, because it can be taken away from us as fast as a wink. I’ll never have that opportunity to tell him how much I loved him or how proud I was of him. Rest in Heaven Roderick. I love you and until we meet again…💔💔💔

#roderickdunston @roderickdunston #rip #strokesurvivor #HeartLove #HeartMonth

#Sponsoraheart

#DontIgnoretheSigns

#RoderickDunstonFoundation

Are You Living Your Life’s Purpose?

It was just two years ago I lost my cousin Tarik Shaw. I called him Lump Lump. He was my age so it truly hit home. Never would I have imagined that our family would lose our loved one so soon. We were in our mid-30s, at that point in life you feel invincible like you will live forever. We had just lost his Grandmother, my Aunt Ruby not too many years ago to Breast Cancer. His death reminded me of a few things: Live life to the fullest. You never know when you will take your last breath. Treat others with love and compassion. One thing that is for certain my cousin was loved throughout the community. His friends and all of our family came out in full force to honor his legacy.

Are you truly living out your purpose? What do you want your legacy to be once you are gone? How do you want to be remembered?