Deveonshai Murrell

Deveonshai LaRica Murrell, 31, received her earthly rest on June 25, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.

She was born on April 3, 1993 in Wichita, KS. to Daniel Don Keith Woodard and Tykeiaa LaShon Murrell.

Deveonshai, affectionately known by loved ones as “Shai”, grew up in Kansas City, MO. Shai was also known by the nickname “Chocolate”, given to her by her grandma Joy.

Shai graduated from Hope Academy in 2011. After high school, she attended Longview Community College in Lee’s Summit, MO. Shai also attended trade school, where she learned to operate a fork lift. She had a love for construction work.

She held various jobs including being a driver for FedEx. Shai also participated in the Workforce Program and became an Operator Engineer at KCI. In her younger years Shai was a member of the Kansas City Marching Falcon’s Drill Team. She absolutely loved being a part of the team, sharing her talent as the team traveled from state to state.

Shai was a lifelong member of This Rock Christian Tabernacle. She had a love for the Lord. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and was baptized at an early age.

Shai was a youth leader, helping with youth activities at This Rock. She was a member of a gospel singing group called “Joy”. She sang alongside Cameshia, Helen, and Kiva. The group sang the praises of the Lord around the Kansas City area.

On July 9, 2015, Shai was blessed to give birth to her only child, a son.

Darrick Deveon DaMir Gaston was the love of her life. With just the mention of DaMir’s name, she would crack the biggest, prettiest smile that only she had, just beautiful.

Shai was an awesome big sister to her five siblings. She was great to her parents. Shai and her grandma Joy had an unbreakable bond, a bond like no other. When you saw Shai, you thought about her grandma Joy. When you saw her grandma Joy, you thought about Shai, or “Chocolate,” as Joy called her. Chocolate was Joy’s backbone. She took great care of her grandma. There was nothing Shai would not do for Joy.

Shai is missed dearly and will forever be in the hearts of those she touched and loved.

She was preceded into death by her paternal great grandmother Johnnie Mae Hendrix, paternal great grandfather James Daniel Woodard, paternal grandfather Otis Lee Jackson, maternal grandmother Sue Ann Pickens, aunt Janean Murrell, uncle Darrell Peoples.

Shai leaves to cherish her sweet memory, her father Daniel Don Keith Woodard, mother Tykeiaa LaShon Murrell, son Darrick Deveon DaMir Gaston, paternal grandparents Steven and Missionary Joy Reese, Siblings, Daniel, Renise, Joshua, Jeremiah Woodard all of Kansas City MO. Joshlin Woodard of Wichita, KS., Uncles, Lester (Rita) Turner, DeAndre Watson, Steven (Alesha) Reese, Rickey (Evelyn) Pickens, Greg McHenry, Keith Talbert, Eric Murrell, Aunts, Diann Beals, Sonya Nicholson, Kathy Horton, Cynthia Horton, Terry Horton, Yolaunda Collins-Currie, Marlana Gentry, God sister, Asia Lacey, and a host of other family and friends.