Two St. Helena Island gun violence victims cherished by family and friends
Adorned with palm leaves and ornate wooden details, two white horse-drawn carriages carrying Chiraad Evelio “Roddi” Smalls, 33, and his beloved nephew Ka’Shawn RaShad “KK” Smalls-Glaze, 22, arrived at Bethel Word & Worship Deliverance Temple Monday morning.
It was one week ago when shock and pain struck St. Helena Island after a mass shooting occurred just after 1 a.m. on Oct. 12 at Willie’s Bar and Grill. Twenty people were shot; four were critically injured and four died, including Smalls and Smalls-Glaze.
As the community tries to rebound from the tragedy facing many unanswered questions, these two souls, remembered as colorful and energetic, were laid to rest on a sunny, breezy Monday morning. Their lives were celebrated by family and friends, dressed in red and white.
As family vehicles pulled into the parking lot, mothers, fathers, siblings and cousins lined the way into the church, filling the sanctuary pews and the perimeter from wall to wall. Enlarged photos of the young men sat next to their white caskets.
Over a hundred people attended the service at the Bethel Word & Worship Deliverance Temple in Beaufort, the city these two victims called home, as it overflowed with love — into the compact church kitchen, outside the doors onto the front lawn and into the hearts of all present.
Bound by blood, love and laughter, family members and friends spoke to who Smalls and Smalls-Glaze were — joy-bringers, life-lovers and fathers who left lasting footprints on the hearts of everyone they touched.
The sanctuary, struck with grief, held generations of family in hugs, praise and hope as their beloved sons, nephews, uncles and fathers were cherished and remembered.
Chiraad Evelio “Roddi” Smalls
Smalls, originally from the Bronx, New York, was a resident of the Beaufort area and worked professionally as a forklift operator.
Known as “Roddi” to his family and friends, his sister, Tawanna Smalls, described him as the “life of the party,” a strong and charismatic presence who deeply loved his two sons, Ayden and Carter Smalls.
Smalls’ girlfriend, Elisha King, wrote in a letter to be read at the service, “You made me laugh when I didn’t want to smile. You were stubborn, you were real … you were my peace.”
Ka’Shawn “KK” RaShad Smalls-Glaze
Smalls-Glaze, affectionately known as “KK” and described as “our baby, our heart” by family, was from nearby Port Royal and widely known for his joyful spirit and sense of humor.
Born in Beaufort, he had a love for music, video games and landscaping — the latter of which became his chosen profession. He leaves behind two sons, Jonah Tavares Pryor and Kai’rell Bowman.
Tawanna Smalls, aunt to Smalls-Glaze, said, “This feels like a dream we can’t wake up from. But even in this deep pain, we stand here surrounded by the love they gave and taught. They were good men — loved, known and respected.”
Legacies not forgotten
Together, Smalls and Smalls-Glaze leave behind not only children, siblings, parents and friends, but also a lifetime of love, laughter and strength.
In their lives — and even in their passing — Tawanna Smalls said their spirits live on in every smile they inspired and in the love and care that surrounds their families still.
While their homes may be quieter, relatives and family are committed to sharing their legacy with generations to come.
“We will say their names loud and proud,” Tawanna Smalls said with strength in her voice. “Their children will grow up knowing how wonderful they were.”
This story was originally published October 20, 2025 at 4:18 PM.
