Ms. Gissile Lashone “Kechia” Etchison, departed this life for her eternal one on Sunday, November 7, 2021 at Wendover Hospice House in Shelby, NC. She was born on July 25, 1973 in Cleveland County, NC to Essie Whitworth Etchison and the late Luther James Etchison, Sr.
Kechia (Gissile) grew up as a fun loving semi-quiet observant child that always carried a smile on her face for everyone she met. Her smile was undeniably contagious and some people called her “Sunshine” because she always wore a smile even when she knew it was raining outside! She was also a loving, energetic and no nonsense person who kept things straight and didn’t sugarcoat words which is the kind of person everyone needs in their life! Moreover, she had this one particular phrase when asked her how she was doing (hardly ever complained of pain as she was going though her trials with MS and cancer): “I’m peachy” was her mantra. Along with the gift of hospitality, she had the gift of encouragement where she would uplift her son and others by telling them, “If you want it, you can obtain it” or if someone wanted to know how she felt about what they were personally doing, she would look at that person with a side glance and calmly tell them in a matter-of-fact tone, “Whatever floats your boat” and she meant it too!
Growing up as a free-spirited individual, Kechia was full of laughter and was never afraid to try new things, venture out or travel. She extremely loved road trips, picnics and all types of outdoor activities…. always eager to learn and try positive things outside the norm (ex: with many, many falls and laughter she became a pretty good skater at the ole’ Kate’s Skating Rink hangout)!
After graduating from Shelby High School where she played a clarinet in band and was a Colorguard, she went on to further her education at Cleveland Community College and accomplished her goals by attaining two (2) degrees: Business Administration and Accounting (while with MS and later cancer treatments in her future). She also was an avid reader who enjoyed African American novels; had an interest in interior design and was part-minimalist (quick to give stuff away – anything before the blink of an eye!).
Moreover, Gissile was a good mother, a hardworker and amicable role model for her son, Roshad and others. While in her strength, she carried out her responsibilities as a dedicated employee through every job she’s ever had because she was taught to give 110% to the work she loved, to her daily life and to those less fortunate. Day after day, she made sure to pass all of life’s gems to her son and anyone else that needed to hear them. Fundamentally, she wanted the best for everyone; helped anyway that she could and stubbornly fought for everything that she wanted, and there was no such thing as the word “CAN’T” in her vocabulary!
Thankfully to God, through every trial and through every hurdle, she remained her own person! She never failed to be outspoken; always sympathetic and in her natural spirited-self. In more ways than one (even while ill), she displayed the courage of Daniel in the lion’s den because she knew whose hands she was in and she knew God had her for life! Undoubtedly, there are not enough words to describe who this Gissile (Kechia) was in this life but God definitely knows her by name! Surely, to know her was to love her because she was a one of a kind daughter, a one of a kind sister, a one of a kind friend, a one of a kind mother, a one of a kind grandmother and a one of a kind person who made a difference to whomever she met. Most definitely, we will miss her bright smile and her bright light that we will never fail to forget but as Jesus promised (soon and very soon), we will definitely be with her again SOMEDAY because she was READY!
Gissile (Kechia) leaves to cherish fond memories to her mother, Essie W. Etchison; her son, Roshad Bristol; her siblings, Renee Etchison, Luther Etchison, Jr., Rasheda Etchison of Shelby and Christopher Whitworth (Cathy) of Boiling Springs; one grandchild, Zoe Bristol; four aunts, Virginia Black, Martha Dawkins, Minister Bernice Mitchell all of Shelby and Piccola Etchison of Maryland along with one uncle, Yates Whitworth of Charlotte, NC and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Shiloh Baptist Church. Burial will take place at Sunset cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:30 PM until 1:00 PM on Saturday and at other times at the home of her mother, 424 Hobbs Ave. Shelby.
