Cheslie Kryst’s death by suicide at the age of 30 impacted so many people. She was a lawyer, a dedicated activist and an influential role model to many people.
Her family hosted a public celebration of her life on Friday in Charlotte. The service was streamed live online for those who could not attend in person.
Family & Friends
Kryst, a Charlotte native and former Miss USA 2019, was known for her light and genuine heart. She was a track athlete at the University of South Carolina and an attorney who fought for social justice.
She was also a global impact ambassador for Dress for Success and a correspondent for EXTRA. She was a beloved member of her community in Charlotte.
During the funeral, the family praised Cheslie’s life and legacy of love and service. They also shared personal memories and encouraged people to make a donation in her name.
In addition, three organizations named a scholarship or fund after Cheslie. These include Dress for Success – the Cheslie Kryst Women’s Advancement Fund; Wake Forest University School of Law – the Cheslie C. Kryst Social Justice Scholarship; and The Dean’s List – the Cheslie Kryst Woman in Media Award.
Simpkins, who spoke at the service, urged people to prioritize their mental health and be aware of resources like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. She also called on people to become a champion for a community that needs support.
Celebratory Service
Cheslie Kryst’s family and friends gathered to honor her life Friday night, three weeks after she died. The service, held at Elevation Church in Blakeney, included emotional speeches from those who knew her best.
The Charlotte native and former attorney was crowned Miss USA in 2019. She was also a champion for important causes.
At the service, she was praised for her light and genuine heart. She was also a strong advocate for mental health.
In lieu of flowers, her mother April Simpkins asks that people please make a donation to the Dress for Success charity that was close to her daughter’s heart.
A celebration of life is a less sombre way to say goodbye to your loved one than a funeral or memorial service. These gatherings can have many different elements, but most of them include a welcoming or greeting, readings or eulogy, and a celebratory activity like stargazing or releasing sky lanterns.
Video Messages & Readings
Cheslie Kryst, the former Miss USA who jumped to her death from a high-rise in Manhattan in January, left a heart-wrenching suicide text to her mother. Her mother, April Simpkins, shared her story on Red Table Talk on Facebook and read the final words that her daughter had written to her before she died.
As a parent, we can’t imagine what it would be like to have our child end their life by taking their own. But if you’ve ever had a loved one battle with depression, you know that the pain is real.
The internet has become an important part of our lives, allowing us to stay connected with friends and family who may live far away. It’s also a place where people can connect with each other, sharing their thoughts and experiences in ways that can be comforting, even healing.
It’s no wonder that so many mourners have turned to TikTok in their time of grief. It’s a space that gives people who don’t necessarily know each other a way to express themselves, to grieve together and to honor their loved ones.
Honoring Cheslie’s Legacy
Cheslie Kryst was a former Miss USA and an attorney who used her platform as a beauty pageant winner to speak out about social justice issues. She also worked as a television correspondent for Extra.
Her mother, April Simpkins, told the audience at her funeral that she was a “born advocate.” She added that Kryst was a living example of love and served others.
The family is working to honor Cheslie’s memory by partnering with the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) to launch the Cheslie C. Kryst Memorial Fund for Mental Health.
Wake Forest University, where Kryst received her law degree and MBA in 2017, announced that it will award an annual scholarship in her name to a law student of color. Applications for the scholarships will open in July. The scholarships are meant to assist with tuition and academic related fees, according to the news release.