Ms. LaKeisha Tiece Washington

LaKeisha Tiece Charles Carter Washington was born on June 11, 1977, at Lincoln Hospital in The Bronx, NY, to her parents, Sheila Charles and Isaac Carter. LaKeisha transitioned from her earthly life on March 1, 2025, at McLeod Seacoast Hospital in Little River, SC. She was 47 years old.

She was a beautiful baby and grew up surrounded by family members who found her to be a happy, sweet-tempered little girl with an easy smile and a kind heart. She was given the nickname "Apple Face" by her cousin Keith, and everyone thought it was adorable—everyone except LaKeisha, who made it known as she got older that she hated it!

When she was six years old, LaKeisha and Sheila met George Washington. He fell in love with Keisha first, and then her Mother. When they got married, the couple approached Isaac and asked if he would permit George to adopt Keisha, mainly because George loved her, but also to unify the family by giving her the same last name as everyone else in the house. Although a difficult decision, Ike agreed. George supported LaKeisha having her birth father in her life, and Keisha and Ike maintained a loving relationship.

LaKeisha was a bright and dedicated student who excelled in all areas. She had an insatiable love for reading and was equally adept at math and history. Her early ambition was to become a lawyer, and for a short time, she attended Vorhees College in Denmark, SC. After leaving school, she moved to Myrtle Beach, SC with her first sister, Ingrid. Keisha held various positions, working at the post office, front desk operator for Marriott hotels, The Sun Newspaper, Hill and Hill Law Firm, and as a tax preparer for TurboTax.

In Myrtle Beach LaKeisha met Warren Kirton and his son, Tahj. She and Warren later had two sons together, Bakari and Zion. As their family grew, Keisha and Warren bought a home in Loris, SC, where she fully embraced the role of a stay-at-home/work-from-home mother. She was actively involved in her sons’ education—attending nearly every award ceremony, concert, and extracurricular activity. She pushed them to achieve excellence and stood proudly by their side in all they pursued.

Keisha was an amazing cook and an even better baker. After years of consideration, she stepped out on faith and launched The Night Owl, LLC, a family-owned and operated restaurant in Longs, SC. Key staples of Keisha’s menu consisted of her amazing oxtails and baked turkey wings. Her banana pudding and red velvet cakes soon brought repeat customers, and even garnered some catering opportunities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, LaKeisha selflessly prepared and delivered meals to local hospitals, fire departments, and police stations to support frontline essential workers. Her kindness and generosity left a lasting impact on many.

Ever determined to grow and achieve new goals, Keisha recently returned to school, pursuing a degree in Accounting with the intention of opening her own tax preparation firm. She was always looking toward the next chapter of her life with ambition and drive.

LaKeisha had a deep passion for music, especially old-school R&B. She had a quirky sense of humor and often quoted lines from movies and songs—one of her favorite sources being Riley, Huey, and Granddad from The Boondocks. She was also tech-savvy, which served her well in her work in customer service and beyond.

As the big sister to Persia and George, Keisha took her role seriously—particularly when it came to George, with whom she spent considerable time as a “second mother" due to their 14-year age gap. Their mother Sheila often joked about having to "compete" with Keisha for his affection. As for her baby sister Persia, they both saw each other as “weird,” but in a good way. They would often check in with each other to collaborate on Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas visits, but mostly to compare notes and swap stories on their Mother. This is all on Persia now.

Although LaKeisha was the first granddaughter, she was the second grandchild of Ruby, born just 12 days after Curtis. She and Curtis shared an unbreakable bond throughout their lives. Keisha was fiercely protective of Curtis and was heartbroken when she realized she had to share him with his younger brother, Kenny. Their only source of friction came when Curtis, as the eldest, insisted Keisha had to listen to him—something she didn’t always agree with! Their bond deepened when they moved to St. Croix, VI, with their grandmother.

LaKeisha was educated in Paterson, NJ, attending Public School #6, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, Come-Unity Christian School, and Passaic County Tech. She accepted Christ and was baptized while attending Community Baptist Church of Love under the leadership of Pastor Fred H. LaGarde. Although she wasn’t very religious, her faith was a guiding force in her life, and the evidence is manifested in the values she instilled in her children.

LaKeisha leaves to mourn her passing:

Her three beloved sons: Tahj'Bahatiliek Dukes, Bakari'Kalani Kirton, and Zion'Khair Kirton

Her devoted partner: Warren Kirton

Her loving mother: Sheila Charles Washington

Her birth father: Isaac Carter

Her siblings: Persia, Ingrid, EnDiah, Tanyah, Kim, and Tyrone

Her grandmother: Dallas June Carter

Her aunts: Sharleen, CoSandra, Tracy, Wynee, Alda, Henrietta and Gail

Her uncles: Douglas, Jeffrey, John and Chris

A host of cousins, great-aunts and uncles, and countless friends whose lives she touched with her warmth, humor, and generosity.

She was preceded in death by her adoptive father, George Washington, her brother, George Kevyn Washington, and her grandmother, Ruby Charles Thomas.

LaKeisha’s life was one of love, laughter, and purpose. She was a devoted mother, a cherished daughter, a protective sister, and a loyal friend. Her kindness, determination, humor and wit  will be missed beyond measure, but the legacy she leaves behind will continue to shine through those who loved her.

Her life was a testament to resilience, compassion, and the unwavering power of family.

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