Shantavia Briana Reddick—affectionately known as Bree—died Sept. 9 in Spring. She was 26. Shantavia was born Sept. 6, 1997, in Lakeland, Fla. She was raised with unwavering love and care by her mother, Gracia Lettsome Reddick, and parents, Darrin and Arlean Moore, who nurtured her into being the remarkable individual God created. Arlean is on the Baptist Standard board of directors, and Darrin is the pastor of Truevine Missionary Baptist Church in Spring and a member of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board. While living in Arkansas for a year, Shantavia’s “village” grew to include her Mt. Carmel Baptist Church family. Shantavia attended Marguerite Van Elementary School in Conway and credited her fourth-grade teacher, Mark Cuddy, with playing a major role in her becoming a teacher. The Moores and Shantavia moved to Spring in 2008, joining Truevine Missionary Baptist Church. Shantavia made her personal proclamation of faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized at Truevine Missionary Baptist Church in 2008, where she remained a faithful member until her death. Shantavia served as a youth usher, youth choir member, summer camp worker, praise dancer and praise dance instructor. She in the Old Town Spring Heights Community and always was willing to do anything asked of her. From a young age, she displayed a natural talent for teaching, serving as a children’s church helper, teacher and director. She loved her church family and especially was excited when her mother moved to Texas, uniting all her parents in one place. Shantavia was homeschooled from sixth grade to 10th grade, affording her the opportunity to have the world as her classroom. Being homeschooled allowed her to travel, attend speaking engagements and gain business insight from her parents and godparents Dr. Christopher and Dr. Astra Sparks. She returned to public school her junior year, where she attended and graduated in 2016 from Klein Collins High School near Spring. While there, she solidified her plan to become an educator. Shantavia excelled in post-secondary education, earning a bachelor’s degree in education in 2020 from Prairie View A&M University, often reminding people, “PV produces productive people.” She also received a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction in 2023 from Texas Southern University. Shantavia was living her true calling as an educator. She began her career at her fifth-grade alma mater, Beneke Elementary School in Spring, as a para-professional while she completed her student teaching. At Smith Elementary School in Spring, she was awarded the “Rookie Teacher of the Year” honor upon completing an impressive first year of teaching. Her partner teacher and team lead, Dr. Kristal Buckles, quickly became a valued friend and mentor. Shantavia’s students were not just pupils; they also were cherished children she shaped with care and dedication. She believed in the power of education to transform lives and used her unique blend of intelligence and kindness to inspire countless young minds. Her classroom was a place of warmth, encouragement, grace and fun. She not only taught academic subjects, but she also instilled values of empathy, compassion and resilience. Her students remember her, not just as a teacher, but as a mentor, a friend and a source of unwavering support. Her passion for her Spring Independent School District students was rivaled only by her eagerness to impart life-changing knowledge to her students in Truevine Missionary Baptist Church’s children’s church. Shantavia also inspired outside of the classroom. She had a natural charm and charisma that drew people to her. Her smile exuded pure light and joy, matched only by her humility and genuine kindness. Her heart overflowed with generosity, always willing to lend a helping hand or a listening ear to those in need. Shantavia’s interests were diverse, reflecting her curiosity about the world. She enjoyed reading, studying the Bible, having biblical and life discussions with her dad, planning children’s lessons with her sister and co-director Kaitlan, and talking about education in Africa with her Auntie. Her intelligence and drive were matched only by her wit and bubbly personality. She had a unique ability to make those around her laugh—even in the darkest of times. After being in school nonstop from high school through completing her master’s degree, Shantavia was ready for a break and to do some traveling before taking the steps to enter a doctoral program. She is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Ismay Olympia and Rosald Lettsome Sr.; paternal grandfather, Walter Henry Reddick Sr.; aunts, Teresa Ann Reddick and Sharon “Liz” Moore-Smith; and cousin, Takeira Adderly. Left to cherish her memory are her mother, Gracia Lettsome Reddick; father and auntie-mom, Rev. Dr. Darrin and Arlean Moore; siblings, Freddie Lee Pullum II and Kaitlin Kirkwood; grandmothers, Dorothy Reddick and Lillie B. Moore; nephew, Noah Pullum; and a host of God-given siblings, cousins, uncles, aunts, great-aunts, godparents, church family, mentors, colleagues, old friends from Truevine Missionary Baptist Church and Prairie View A&M University, new friends from Texas Southern University, friends in East Africa, Truevine’s children’s church students, and Smith Elementary staff and students—all of whom forever will carry her legacy forward. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to LilyOlympia.org in Shantavia’s memory.
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