Shawna Tolliver

Shawna Lee Tolliver was born in Pittsburgh, PA on May 12, 1994.  She was the beautiful daughter of Derrick L. Tolliver and Robin R. Tolliver,  Shawna was the oldest sister to Isaiah and Nathan Tolliver.

Shawna attended the Pittsburgh Public School system.  She attended Dilworth Elementary, Allegheny Traditional Academy and in June 2013, she graduated from City Charter High School.  Shawna enrolled in the Job Corp Program and received her certificate of completion in Culinary Arts in September 2014.

After graduation Shawna continued in the Culinary Arts by working for a catering company.  Later she was employed at Carnegie Mellon University as a custodian.

Shawna was a talented and gifted artist and entrepreneur.  From an early age she would sell her artwork on line, but most importantly she enjoyed creating artwork for her family and friends.

Shawna was very fond of animals and from the time she was born she never played with a baby doll but loved playing with toy animals.  Her favorite dog was a pit bull even though she never owned one.  She had 6 ferrets and enjoyed assisting her roommate Carolyn with her cats.  She loved and spoiled them as if they were her own children.  For nine years she was a member of the Pittsburgh Furries Association.  She attended many of their conventions and loved interacting with other Fur Members.

Her family was her ultimate love.  Spending quality and happy times was something she cherished.  She was extremely close to her brothers, Isaiah and Nathan who embraced her passion for art and are now releasing those same artistic gifts.  Her cousin Jasmine was one month apart in age and her aunts, Renay and Shronda who were also close in age, were inseparable growing up.  She would constantly encourage them to play and dress up like the animals she loved.

Traveling with her family was an exciting time for Shawna.  She traveled several times to Disney World, different beaches, Canada, Washington, DC, Maryland and many other states.  She enjoyed camping with her friends and embracing nature.

On Wednesday, April 12, 2017, Shawna fell asleep but only for a moment because of the resurrection hope which even she was very well aware of God's Promise according to John 5:28-29 that the dead will live again.  She was preceded in death by uncle, William Tolliver and great uncles, Edward Posey, Michael Bernard, Ernest Tolliver, Gerald McGinnis and James McGinnis; great aunts, Madeline Bernard, Dorothy Phifer and Virginia Gray.

Fond memories are left to her mother, Robin R. Tolliver; father, Derrick L. (Tonya) Tolliver; brothers, Isaiah and Nathan Tolliver; grandfather, Robert Watkins; grandmother, Nadine (Paul) Gainer; grandmother, Ulla Tolliver; grandfather, Wilbert (Carol) Tolliver; great-grandmother, Mary Young; aunts, Linda (Allen) Strothers, Marty McGinnis, Stephanie Tolliver, Renay Watkins, Shronda Watkins; uncles, Greg (Andrea) Tolliver, Lauren (Megan) Gainer, Robert Watkins and Mario (Jarona) Watkins; great-aunts, Mary (Dewayne) Anderson, Myra Holyfield, Louuise James, Ann McLemore, Judy Winston and Sandra (Lonnie) Brown; great-uncles, Herman Posey, Joseph Posey and Elijah Posey; extended family, Jasmine, Amillyon, Tarue, Denzel and Denasia; and a host of cousins, other relatives and many friends.