Kirsten Leigh Blackwood

Kirsten Leigh Blackwood, 25, died Monday, October 9, 2023.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Monday, October 16, 2023 at New Birth Baptist Church.  The funeral service will be at 1:00 PM Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at New Birth Baptist Church, Rock Hill, SC with Revs. Mark McManus and Arnie McManus officiating. Burial will be at Forest Hills Cemetery.

Kirsten loved her daughter, her family and close friends. She enjoyed writing poetry and was very talented.  She found happiness in music, movies, art, and dance.  No one who met her forgot her infectious smile.  She attended New Birth Baptist Church and rededicated her life to the Lord recently. Through that, she found peace in her life.  Kirsten will be dearly missed.

Surviving is her daughter, Elizabeth (Cardier Blackwood Harris); mother, Nicole Drake; grandmother, Brenda Drake; aunt and uncle, Jennifer and Doug McManus; cousins, Taylor Helms and Caitlynn (Michael) McManus Hill, who were her very best friends in life, Bryan (Dana) McManus and Eryn (Shawn) Mericle; step sisters, Kaylyn, Reagan, Madison and Chloe Brock; and many other cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, William F. Blackwood, Jr.; grandfather, William F. Blackwood, Sr.; grandmother, Cecilia Blackwood; and grandfather, Keith Drake.

Memorials may be made to New Birth Baptist Church, 600 Annafrel Street, Rock Hill, SC 29730.

Whitesell Funeral Home is serving the Blackwood family.