Kyshawna LeAire Olive

Kyshawna LeAire Olive, 27, affectionately known as Shawnie, was born in South Bend, Indiana on April 30, 1992 to Bridget Hankins and Tommy Olive.  She graduated from Clay High School in 2010. She was raised in the church and was a member of Greater New Visions Missionary Baptist Church. She later began to attend New Horizon Outreach Ministry where she attended until her health no longer permitted.

At the age of 13 Kyshawna was diagnosed with Lupus SLE and fought a courageous battle with the disease. On Monday, August 26, 2019 shortly after 6:00 pm, at Hospice House of St. Joseph County, Shawnie bravely made her transition; her loving mother, her brother Derek and her auntie Mia Willis were by her side.

Kyshawna enjoyed spending time with her family, surfing Facebook, SnapChat and Instagram, cooking, and watching realty tv and movies. Her favorite foods included tacos, popcicles and her Godfather’s homemade chicken and noodles. When she was sad, unhappy or refusing to eat he would always bring her around with a big pot of chicken and noodles.   

Along with her mother and father, Shawnie also leaves to cherish her loving memory four brothers Derek Hankins,  Jaelyn Tanner, Marquise and Martez Watford; two sisters, Tamauri and Tomisha Olive; paternal grandmother, Jenny Faye Olive and paternal grandfather, Johnny Olive; close cousins who were always available to assist, Shawn Stokes, George Hankins and Debbie Fuller; her God parents A.D. and Forestine Jackson, breakfast club members, Javan Smith and Janice Nichols, along with a host of other relatives and friends.  Kyshawna was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Mary Hankins; maternal great-grandmother, Leara Hankins and paternal great grandmother, Maggie Olive.

Important highlights in Shawnie’s life were going to her high school prom, receiving her high school diploma and learning to drive. In 2015 Kyshawna was featured on the cover of the publication, The Weeps of Mary and Moans of Martha, in which she shared her story: “Living with Lupus.” Her mother later shared her own story, “Lupus Lives in my House,” in the book Now Faith is My Story, by Michele Johnson. 

In her story “Living with Lupus,” Keyshawna wrote,    

"My advice to someone who is living with a chronic illness is that you should talk to someone about what you are going through. Even though they might not understand, it’s just good to get it out instead of holding on to it because it’s not good for your health. At one point I was in therapy and my therapist Neil helped me a lot . . .  I go through my ups and downs. I just have to keep it moving and know that I will have my good days and bad days with my health; but for now I am at a point where I am doing okay. I pray and I am thankful that I am alive. I don’t question God; I just pray. I do a lot more smiling and laughing than I used to.”

Her kind and loving spirit will live on in the lives of those who loved her. She taught those around her the importance of learning to live while dying and not die while living.

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

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