TaNyiah "Nyiah" Leverett, whose laughter and love lit up every room, has completed her final masterpiece, leaving behind a canvas filled with vibrant memories. Nyiah was born on August 24, 2006, in the heart of Augusta, Georgia, with a sparkle in her eye that hinted at the extraordinary life she was set to lead. Despite the sadness that accompanies her passing on October 3, 2024, her story is one of joy, creativity, and an infectious sense of humor that touched all who knew her.

Nyiah's life was a beautifully choreographed dance of color and vivacity. A senior at Austin East High School, she was well known for her undeniable talent in the art room and her ability to steal the show, winning 2nd place at the Black History Month Art Show—though many argue she was robbed of 1st. Her creativity wasn't confined to the canvas; it spilled over into her energetic TikTok skits, where she sang and danced her way into the hearts of followers and friends.

Off the internet, Nyiah was just as hilarious and heartwarming, personifying the words creative, loving, and, without a doubt, funny. She had a knack for lightening the mood and could turn the mundanity of everyday life into a comedy sketch worthy of a standing ovation. It was impossible to be in a bad mood around her—Nyiah simply wouldn't allow it.

She was the radiant and quirky heart of the Leverett family mother, Roxie McAlpin; father, Thaddeus Leverett; siblings, Thaddeus Leverett Jr., KeLaylah Laylah McAlpin and Tritez McAlpin, were her favorite audience and co-stars in her impromptu living room performances. Nyiah inherited not only her grandfather Roderick McAlpin's artistic talents but also the unforgettable legacy of joy left by those who preceded her in death: maternal grandmother Julie McAlpin, paternal grandmother Beverly Leverett, and paternal grandfather Cornelius "Bubba" Leverett.

Nyiah's battle with cancer was like a dramatic opera that she faced with the bravery of a superhero—always with a joke up her sleeve and a chuckle, even in the face of adversity. She fought valiantly, her boundless courage inspiring everyone she met. Every nurse, doctor, and fellow patient was lucky enough to receive a dose of her comedic medicine.

Those who knew Nyiah will remember her for the light and giggles she brought into the world. Her drawings and paintings were splashes of her soul that she generously shared, and her TikTok legacy will live on, one skit at a time. Our beloved Nyiah may have exited the stage, but the encore of her influence continues in the memories she has etched into the hearts of everyone she met.

So here's to Nyiah Leverett—artist, comedian, daughter, sister, and friend—the girl who painted the world with laughter and taught us all to dance through life, even when the music stops. Her curtain call comes far too early, but what an unforgettable show it was. Let's give it up for Nyiah, whose life, though too brief, was nothing less than a standing ovation. Curtain down, applause up, until we meet again for the grandest encore of all.