Jaelyn Whisler
Sunrise: June 19, 1996
Sunset: July 4, 2016
Jaelyn Whisler, also called “Gorata” by her paternal grandparents, which means “loved one” in Setswana, official language of Botswana, was born on June 19, 1996 in Baltimore, MD to Mathias Tshenolo Whisler, Sr. and Quinette (Candy) Odom Whisler. Jaelyn, aka Jae, aka Jade, aka JWhiz, aka BabyGirl, walked into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on July 4, 2016 at the age of 20. Jaelyn, the beloved and cherished first born of Mathias and Candy departed this side of heaven and opened her eyes in the presence of the Lord. She is the oldest of five children. Her siblings are Mathias Tshenolo Whisler, Jr. (MJ), Joshua Phalaagae Aron Whisler, Montana Koketso Lee Whisler, and Joy Florah Lyvonne Whisler. Jaelyn was the loving granddaughter to Audralyn Odom and the late Ruben (Ray) Odom, Sr. of Elkridge, MD and Gary Lee and Magdaline Baba Whisler of Mochudi, Botswana.
Jaelyn began her formative years in southern Maryland before moving with her family to Simpsonville, SC. After moving to South Carolina, Jaelyn attended Greenville County Schools in Simpsonville, SC. Jaelyn graduated high school on May 29, 2014 from the Brashier Middle College (BMC), after beginning her High School career at Hillcrest HS, and had attended Francis Marion University in Florence, SC in the fall of 2015.
Jaelyn was an avid lover of basketball. She played for both Hillcrest HS and BMC. She was also a Junior Life Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In her early adulthood, Jaelyn discovered a passion for Real Estate Investments. After leaving college to pursue her dream, she spent much of her free time, researching, reading, and educating herself to chase this entrepreneurial goal.
Jaelyn came into this world as a bubbly, chubby cheek little darling. She was adored as the first child, and first grandchild on both sides of the family. She was a hilarious baby who began crawling early but not for long because she figured walking would get her to her destination quicker. As a little girl, Jaelyn loved gardening, her grandmother’s fat cakes, oxtail and rice, and seafood. As her family grew, Jaelyn had no problems being the oldest of the Whisler crew and she took her position as the “boss” of her siblings seriously. Jaelyn’s love for her younger brothers and baby sister goes beyond words and although they all got on each other’s nerves at times, no one could mess with her siblings.
Jaelyn was also a great friend and listener. We have been inundated with numerous recollections from her friends and former teammates of how Jaelyn encouraged and counseled them through difficult times. And so, while we cry today, the Word tells us that “Joy comes in the morning” because we know that our beloved Jaelyn is resting in the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Lord had better plans for her but we rest assured that she is forever in our hearts. As a family, we are both proud and confident that Jaelyn not only talked the talk, but walked the walk as a young Christian woman and she was proud to confess Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.
Jaelyn’s memorial service will be held on Friday, July 15, 2016, at 4:00 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home (heritage-funeral.com) in Simpsonville, SC. Jaelyn will be greatly missed by everyone that ever had the pleasure of crossing paths with her. She was the kind of young woman that anyone would be proud to call daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin, goddaughter, and friend.
Jaelyn was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Ruben (Ray) Odom, Sr. Jaelyn is survived by her parents, Mathias Tshenolo Whisler, Sr. and Quinette Odom Whisler; three brothers: Mathias Tshenolo Whisler, Jr. (MJ), Joshua Phalaagae Aron Whisler, Montana Koketso Lee Whisler and sister, Joy Florah LyvonneWhisler; maternal grandmother, Audralyn Odom (Late Ray Odom); paternal grandparents, Gary and Magdaline Baba Whisler; Aunts: Dorothy Boshafatso Whisler Fortune (Robert), Lytisha Walker Wilson (Bryan), and Cicely Walker; Uncles: Neil Seletlo Whisler (Amy), and Ruben Aron Odom, Jr; cousins: Madison Bonolo and Mackenzie Boipelo Fortune,Lytisha Wilson and Joshua Wilson; as well as numerous extended family both here and in Botswana and friends.