UPSHUR COUNTY - Tidwell CEMETERY


Charisma Pippins was born August 24, 1984 and passed away May 6, 2016. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 16, 2016 at Bride's Chapel in Longview. Burial will follow at Reynolds Cemetery under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Hughes Springs.

Charisma Summer Essena Pippins, was born August 24, 1984. She was born premature and saw several challenges since birth. As her mother, Esther, and her Godmother, Linda Smith Lopez, sat by her side and held her hand; they knew she was something precious. As her grandparents, Lawrence and Essie Smith sought to help her mother raise her; they saw in her a special gift from God. As her big sister Christian became her fearless protector; she knew Charisma was hers to watch over. As her little sister, Essie feared for her; she saw Charisma as the person who would challenge her to be the best person she could be. For her other sister, Gina saw Charisma as her baby to hold in her heart. As her god-brother Eddie and Charisma bonded, he knew she was the little sister he would carry with him always. As her other god-brother, Chad played music for her; he knew music would lift her up. As her aunt Margaret cared for her; she knew Charisma could respond. As her aunt Lari (Red) said, “Charisma was someone who exceeded in, what doctors said she could never do.” As her aunts, Glenda, and Janice observed her; they knew Charisma was something to cherish for life. As her uncles, Lawrence and Steven saw her grow; they knew she was a fighter. An uncle, Eddie who never met her, but told her mother, one day her mother would have someone special in my life. Charisma had special effect on all her cousins, because through her, they saw a person, who could unite them through love. For family, friends, and everyone, who experienced the joy of knowing her; Charisma always gave her full and undivided attention. Charisma was an excellent listener, who enjoyed hearing the voices of family, friends, and care providers. She knew and recognized each and every voice, she came in contact with. Charisma enjoyed the love of family, friends and those, who cared for her, and she cared for them in return.
Doctors told Esther, Charisma would never live more than a week, but God blessed Esther to see her graduate from Gladewater High School in Gladewater, Texas. God blessed the family with the staff at Truman Smith, who nurtured Charisma while she was a resident at their facility. Esther did not get to see Charisma in time as she saw her sunset on May 6, 2016, but God granted Esther the greatest blessing as nurses and doctors held her in the emergency room, so Esther could hold her precious baby’s hand one last time.

Charisma leaves a legacy of life and love as her mother, sisters, godmother, god-brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, countless family and friends will continue her lesson of love and tolerance. As Charisma joins beloved family, her grandparents, father, aunt, and uncle, she will be remembered as a person, who defines us. One, who could make you look towards a person’s inner soul and discover what true beauty is really like.