Traashia Gillespie

TraAshia Gillespie of Summerville is remembered for the love she carried for her children and the quiet strength she brought to family and classroom alike. A daughter of Stephen and Wanda Manigault and Troy Gillespie, TraAshia was a mother to Jaiden Gillespie and Christopher “CJ” Carroll and a sister to Breonna McSwain, Jamar, Janeice, Alexis, and Ambria Gillespie. She sought better opportunities for her family and worked toward providing a stable home, a dedication noted by friends who recall her steady determination and bright smile.

Those who knew TraAshia remember her gentle presence in everyday moments — as a student and instructor, a friend who offered encouragement, and a loving mother who put her children first. Former classmates and colleagues described her as sincere and caring, someone who brought warmth into the classroom and a kindness that lingered with those she taught and worked alongside.

Family and friends gathered to celebrate her life at Charity Missionary Baptist Church on March 28, 2015, with interment at Sunset Memorial Garden. Funeral arrangements were handled by Hilton’s Mortuary. In the weeks and years after her passing, messages left for TraAshia’s family recall her smile, her devotion to her children, and the small acts of kindness that shaped daily life for those around her.

Though her time was far too short, TraAshia’s memory lives on in the children she loved, the family she cherished, and the community that remembers her warmth. Those who mourn her continue to hold her close in memory and prayer, honoring the care and hope she carried for those she loved.