Kissa Chinique Richmond-Watkins

Kissa Chinique Richmond-Watkins was the third of five siblings, born on August 26, 1978 to the late Dennis and Susan Estelle Richmond Watkins in Detroit, Michigan. Kissa encountered tragedies early in life. At the age of eight Kissa lost her mother who she mourned greatly. Kissa and her siblings were raised by their grandparents Peter (Daddy Pete) & Bernice (Marniece) Richmond. A year following her mother’s death her grandmother Bernice died. There is a saying that says, “It takes a village to raise a child,” Aunts Jacqueline Riley and Denise Richmond rolled up their sleeves to help rear Kissa. Aunt Vanessa Watkins-Drew pitched in and broadened Kissa’s view of the world by exposing her to different environments. Uncle Peter and Aunt Vickie Parks-Lee were also surrogate parents.

Kissa was educated in the Detroit Public School system and received a high school diploma from Murray-Wright High School. She later attended Wayne County Community College and transferred to Wayne State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in International Studies. Kissa prided herself on the fact she learned Arabic. The attainment of education was an important achievement for Kissa.

Kissa met her partner David Geter and from their relationship, one son was born, Peter Richmond Geter (“P-Unit”). Desiring a better life for her son, Kissa would forgo a career in criminal justice to become a devoted mother to Peter by becoming a stay-at-home mom. They enjoyed long walks, trips to the Detroit Zoo and Michigan Science Center, skating at Northland, and spending time with Peter’s aunt Christina Geter who Kissa considered a sister.

Kissa was smart, always the life of the party, but she could sure end a party too. She had a great sense of humor, and was very sensitive and caring although she never hesitated to tell you what was on her mind and how she was feeling. She was generous with her time and resources. For instance, she babysat her nephew Raekwon, nieces Azhonae and E’Naira who she adored. As a teenager she would help her cousins Chanel and Colette Riley who were like her big sisters babysit their children Dashonte & Daisha Riley and Myles Harlan. She was the third generation of hairstylists in the family and would style her friends and siblings hair. She was free hearted was always willing to loan money to relatives when in need, especially if they promised to return the favor.

She loved her family dearly and could not go a week without speaking to her siblings. Also every Mother’s Day Kissa would visit the cemetery and lay flowers on her parents and maternal grandmother’s graves. The death of loved ones contributed to Kissa’s troubled soul and it broke her heart.

In her spare time, Kissa listened to music. She enjoyed smooth jazz and loved concerts on the river at Chene Park. She was a European history buff, especially documentaries about the Queen of England. She also enjoyed hanging out with friends and family especially with Mrs. Woods, Nia, Nekeah, Peter III, Kareem, Damon, Bernard, Edward and Anthony (“Tone”).

Kissa made her transition on Monday, January 25, 2021 to be reunited with her mom, who, no doubt, greeted her with the hug and embrace that she has desired for so many years, her father, Dennis, her maternal grandparents Bernice (Marnice) and Peter (Daddy Pete) Richmond and her paternal grandparents Louise and Jesse Watkins and her eldest brother Dennis, Jr. She leaves to cherish her memory, her son Peter Geter, her longtime partner David Geter, siblings Tremaine Watkins (Tanika), Aina Watkins, and Ariane Bigby (Paul), aunts Jacqueline Riley, Denise Richmond, Vickie Parks-Lee, Vanessa Watkins-Drew, Uncles Joseph Richmond (Margaret) and Peter Richmond, Jr (Fran), nephew and nieces Raekwon, Azhonae, E’Naira & Ava Watkins. Lastly, cousins Chanel Harlan, Colette Riley, Anthony Parks, Nia, Nekeah, Peter, Kareem and Damon Richmond, Bernard and Edward Drew; dear friends Christina Geter and Kelly Jackson, as well as a host of other cousins, relatives, and friends.

The family requests donations in lieu of floral arrangements towards an education savings plan for Kissa’s ten year old son. Please make donations payable to Ariane Bigby, 6613 Sweet Wood Court, Fort Wayne, IN 46814.