Keisha Latrese Staffney

HER JOURNEY

Keisha Latrese Staffney was born on July 30, 1992 in Detroit, MI to Martin Taylor and Teresa Staffney.

Keisha gave her life to God at an early age and in her adult years she enjoyed attending church with her daughters.

At age 4 ½ Keisha was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and her mother was heartbroken. Managing Keisha's diabetes wasn't easy, but by age 6 she was able to check her own blood sugar and give herself insulin.

Keisha attended the Detroit Public School system and graduated from Detroit City High School in June 2011. She also attended Wayne County Community College (WCCCD) with dreams of becoming a registered nurse.
Unfortunately, due to her medical circumstances she was unable to achieve her dream.

Keisha was determined to be successful, but her continuous battle with her health kept getting in the way. Not only did she return to WCCCD to pursue a nursing degree, but later attended Dorsey Schools to give it another try. Keisha was constantly in the boxing rink fighting multiple health issues but tried her best to make a living for herself and her baby girls. Throughout the years she worked at Comerica Park, McDonalds, Coney Island, and Captain Jay's.

Keisha was very passionate about becoming a nurse. From the time she graduated from high school until she was hospitalized in February all she talked about was being a part of the health care industry. Prior to being hospitalized in February, she was trying to determine how she could take online classes in addition to managing her health and being a mother. Even though she was unable to accomplish her dream she decided to help someone in need last winter. Keisha being Keisha, she went to Target and purchased some scrubs to be an in-home caregiver. Initially, Keisha's mother and sister were a little upset and concerned about her health, but in hindsight this shows how passionate Keisha was about being in the health care field and helping other people.

Keisha had a huge personality and so many friends that genuinely loved her. Not only was she at all the parties but also the life of the party.
Whether she was wearing her LifeVest for her heart or her insulin pump, she was still dressed to impress and looking fine as wine. All Keisha wanted was to be able to live life to the fullest like everyone around her. She was loved dearly by her family and her two baby girls were her everything. In her words, "My Queens are my everything, YES, MY QUEENS!"


Keisha exemplifies what it means to be a true fighter. She has been fighting for her life since she was a toddler. Keisha fought to the end between 2016 and May 2, 2020. She was constantly in and out the hospital, but she never gave up. After fighting heart attacks, strokes, seizures and more she finally decided that she was tired of fighting.
The pain of losing Keisha is indescribable, but God knew better.

God called Keisha home on May 2, 2020 and she is now resting peacefully!
No more pain! She leaves to cherish her memory, her parents, Martin Taylor and Teresa Staffney; two children, Londyn and Lauryn Barton; sister, Crystal Staffney; grandfather, Levi Staffney II; grandmother, Lillie Staffney; great-grandmother, Ruby Parks; nephew, Ricardo Jackson, Jr.; aunts, Amber and Levia; uncles, Calvin, Will II "June," Michael "Booga," Anthony, Rauh and Muhammad; cousins she was raised with, Kiara, Levi IV, Laron, DeHonda, Antonio, and Unique; two little cousins she loved like her own Kaylynn and Richard Jr.; other cousins she loved dearly, Will III, Ella, Micah "Pooda," and Junequa; her high school sweetheart and father of her children, Anthony Barton and a host of other family members and friends. She is preceded in death by her grandfather, Will Taylor, Sr; grandmother, Ella Taylor; and uncle, Levi Staffney III.