RUFFIN: Kendra Frances Crosby passed away Tuesday morning at the Medical University of South Carolina after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was 21.

Kendra was born in Colleton County April 15, 1994 a daughter of Ricky and Kay Beach Crosby. She was a 2012 graduate of the Colleton County High School, and later attended both the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie Campus and the Greenville Technical College. She was a member of the New Spring Church in Charleston, where she was heavily involved with the student ministry. Her passion was horses. Throughout her life she raised and trained horses, and won numerous awards on both the local and state level. Kendra was an inspiration to countless individuals…nurses, doctors, cancer survivors and cancer patients with the strength and fortitude with which she battled her illness. She was a beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister and friend…but above all she was a Christian. Her faith and trust in God has guaranteed her place in heaven…and assured us all that we will see her again.


In addition to her parents, she is survived by her sister, Kristina Crosby. Her maternal grandparents are Robert "Bobby" Beach and Frances Myers Beach of Walterboro. Her paternal grandmother is Mary Risher Hughes of Neeses. There are a host of aunts, uncles and cousins as well as her special "Momo" and "Granddaddy", Donald and Mary Alice Crosby. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather Max L. Crosby.

In accordance with her wishes, Kendra was buried late Tuesday near the horses and farm she loved in a small graveside service with only her family present. However, a public celebration of her life will be held Friday October 2, 2015 at the North Walterboro Baptist Church at 11:00 AM. It was also her request that instead of flowers, memorials be made to the HCC Lighthouse Fund, a charity organization that she established to help cover the needs of gynecological cancer patients for such things as travel, food, lodging and wigs. Checks can be sent to the MUSC Foundation and designated to the HCC Lighthouse Fund, 86 Jonathan Lucas Street, MSC 955, Charleston, SC 29425. Online donations can be made at https://netcommunity.musc.edu/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=191. Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home of Walterboro is in charge of arrangements.