Obituary of Tahlea Suniya Whitaker

Suniya Tahlea Whitaker was born February 4^th 2008 to Karlae Whitaker in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Her name Suniya immediately describes this Angel, as she is a sunshine onto anyone she has encountered. Suniya was born pre-maturely at 24 weeks and fought endlessly in the NICU for 9 months before finally being able to come home.

Tahlea enjoyed laugher and silly games. As much as a diva as she appears to be, she is just as much a tomboy as diva. As quickly Suniya gets decked out in lip gloss and polish, she was ready to fight and wrestle around. Suniya also loved taking girls trips away, as she enjoyed the rides with her favorite songs blasting.

Niya thrived in school and therapy’s always showing growth and intelligence. In her near fourteen years, Tahlea endured many surgeries and scares, but always fought through with grit and resilience. Even through her most strenuous days, you would never know there was anything wrong as long as she had her favorite shows to maker her sing, dance, and wiggle around without a care!

Kai-Lan, Hmioomi, and Blues Clues would bring her happiness that you could hear from across the street.

Most of Suniya’s free time was spent playing around with her dad, (Sherrard Gillespie) being loved and pampered by her mom (Karlae Whitaker) or being spoiled and weighed on by Grandma, (Barbara Whitaker), as there’s always an unspoken battle to be the center of her joy. The battle even extended to her caretakers.

This beautiful Sunflower was called back to help in heaven on the morning of October 19^th 2021.  She is survived by her mother Karlae Whitaker, father Sherrard Gillespie, grandmothers, Barbara Whitaker, Hermionie Irving, Margaret and Ronald Briston, her three younger sisters, Evelyn Gillespie, Amariee and Anyah Briston, aunts, Yolanda Strickland, Jackie, and Tonya, uncle Jay Strickland and many cousins.

Her brief time brought everyone unconditional love and laughter that she will always be cherished for. We love you Nana!