Kawana D. Britt-Rucker

Kawana Desha Britt-Rucker was born June 16, 1980, at the Menorah Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri, to the parents of Bernestine Witherspoon- Britt, and David Charles Britt, of Kansas City, Missouri. Kawana was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Mr. Charles E. Britt & Mrs. Luverna Britt; her maternal grandparents, Mr. Richard Witherspoon Sr., & Mrs. Bettie Mae Edwards-Witherspoon; and her bonus grandmother, Mrs. Mary Olar Dodds-Witherspoon; her one and only brother, Mr. Stacey R. Witherspoon, who passed away March 13, 2020, in Kansas City, Missouri, whom she loved dearly and idolized with all her heart. He was her big brother, her protector, and her Sports Pal who were always in cahoots together against their mother when it came to the Kansas City CHIEFS. They loved the CHIEFS, and mom would always choose some other team like the Denver Broncos, or the Tennessee Titans, what a laugh they would have when the CHIEF’S would get the WIN.

Kawana gave her life to Jesus Christ at an early age of 7. She united with the Second Missionary Baptist Church of Grandview, Missouri and was baptized by the late and Honorable Dr. Donald D. Ford I. She was very active in the church. Kawana was a choir member in the Youth choir, under the leadership of Mrs. Rosalind Bauchum, Ms. Miriam Fry, and Ms. Marva Forbush, and moved up to the teen choir, the Voices of Praise under the Leadership of Sister Carla Lee.  Kawana joined the Girl’s Scout organization at Second Missionary, at age 7 and she joined the Windstepper’s AAU track team at Second Missionary at the age of 10, under the leadership of Ms. Kimberly Waller, Rev. John Edwards and later Rev. Cornelius Blow where she ran with the relay team, they were fast and earned many ribbons and awards.

Kawana attended school at the Santa Fe Elementary school and the Ervin Jr. High in the Hickman Mills School district, Kansas City, Missouri.  Kawana’s family moved to Grandview, Missouri there she attended Grandview High School and was inducted into the National Honor Society.  Kawana joined the Grandview Color Guard where she was a flag girl and graduated with honors in 1998. She was a 1998 Cotillion participant of the Kansas City Missouri Alumnae Chapter where she took second place and won scholarships.

Kawana attended the University of Memphis in Memphis, TN from 1998 and graduated in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science with emphasis in human resources. In 2002 Kawana returned to Kansas City, Missouri and obtained a job teaching students and Computer Systems Management at Bejamin Banneker Elementary Academy School. From there she went to work for Fort Dodge Animal Health.  Kawana obtained her master’s degree from Keller Graduate School of Management from DeVry University Institute of Technology. She returned to Memphis and accepted a role in Human Resources with Smith and Nephew Organization.  On April 27, 2007, she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. at the Memphis Alumnae Chapter where she was a part of the 188 Pearls of Persuasion.   Kawana was an adventurous person who loved to travel, and she enjoyed touring and living in different cities, states and visiting different Countries.

Kawana has traveled to Spain, Italy, England, Bermuda, Barbados Cartagena Columbia, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Florida, Atlanta Georgia, New York, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Kansas, Louisiana, Arkansas, South Carolina, Ohio, North Carolina, and Illinois, just to name a few of them.

Kawana was offered and accepted a job in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania working in Human Resources. While in Pittsburgh she united with the Macedonia Church of Pittsburgh under the leadership of Pastor Brian James Edmonds she was a very active member and was ordained as a Deacon of the church and she received a Certificate in 2021 by Pastor Brian J. Edmonds. Most recently she lived and worked in Bowie, Maryland in the Washington DC area where she continued to travel, meet new people, and continued her advocacy work for Breast Cancer Awareness as a Health Coach and ANGEL Advocate Lead for Tigerlily Foundation.

Kawana was a two-time, stage 1, triple-positive breast cancer overcomer survivor, she had no family history of breast cancer at diagnosis at the age of 37. Kawana is a Tigerlily ANGEL lead Advocate, her passion was to advocate for, and educate others on how to overcome cancer. Kawana began a breast health education program with Propel Schools in Pittsburgh, PA and has educated over 200 high schoolers and staff on breast health. She has also created triple negative breast cancer training for partners, survivors, and advocates. Kawana is the author of Goal Getter: A 7-Day Journal. She’s been featured on iHeart Radio WVON Chicago, IL, contributed to Tigerlily’s My Life Matters Magazine, and interviewed on Bayer Oncology’s Podcast. Kawana is a recipient of the Marquis Who’s Who 2024, in November of 2023 she was a recipient of the Courage Award.

On Saturday January 7, 2024, Kawana took ill and was taken to Bowie Health Center, tests were run, and the results came back early the morning of January 8th the results were, her cancer has returned. She was admitted to Sibley Hospital in Washington, DC, however, this time she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer stage 4, she was unable to beat cancer this time. She fought the good fight and finished the course on January 25, 2024, at 1:05 a.m. CST. At Sibley Hospice Care Center.

Kawana leaves to mourn her mother, Bernestine Britt; and father, David Charles Britt of Kansas City, MO;  three stepchildren, Dylan Rucker (Alisha) of Pittsburgh, PA Jordan Rucker of Toledo, OH, Carrington Rucker of Youngstown, OH; five grandchildren, Roman Rucker, Jordan Rucker Jr., Jackson Rucker, Journey Rucker and Kingston Rucker; big sisters; Angela Witherspoon-Williams, Kesha Canady-McGee, Josette Mitchell, Janai Howard, Kansas City, MO, and Courtney Suggs Ft. Lauderdale, FL;  uncles, Frederick (Tammi) Witherspoon and Michael (Shonte L.) Witherspoon Arlington, TX Jessie (Jean)Britt, Michael (Shirley) Britt, Joseph Britt, Clyber Leo Britt; aunts, Gloria (Rev. Steven) Bailem, Mobile, AL, Lovie (Danny) Harris, Kansas City, MO, Juanita Gunn of St. Louis, MO Vira Britt-Herbert of Lee’s Summit, MO, Ms. Erma Lee Holmes, Houston, TX; and a Loving companion and special friend, Mr. Larry Murchison of Bowie, MD., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.