Keisa Stewart-Rucker

I traveled back home to Mobile yesterday to celebrate the life of my dear friend Jakia Kiki Williams — my friend since high school, my sister in every way that mattered.
Being surrounded by the people whose lives she touched reminded me just how powerful her spirit truly was.

Kiki was the one who begged me to come to Mississippi Valley, not knowing that God would use her to lead me to my husband, my children, and some of the closest friends I have today.
We were track and field champions together, and nobody threw that shot put like her. My mom loved her like a daughter, and my sisters loved her like a sister. That’s just who she was — easy to love, impossible to forget.

Even through her struggles, Kiki never stopped fighting. She was always encouraging me, even when she was the one in pain — reminding me to keep pushing, to keep going, to never give up on myself.
She fought harder and longer than most people ever could… and I’m grateful God allowed me to tell her “I love you” one more time.

Kiki, thank you for the laughter, the memories, the sisterhood, and the love that will stay with me forever.
Rest well, my friend.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” — 2 Timothy 4:7