The Soultown! Volume IV: Issue 1 JANUARY 2020 | Page 17

Cover Story
Celebrating mom, Mary’s birthday with the family.
Spending time with my granddad Mr. Harry Nix Sr.
years. This entire community was blessed to witness
my mother raise, nurture, and polish them into the
successful young woman who we all know today.”
Kendra and Syreeta were born and raised
in Waterloo, Iowa. They attended the Waterloo
Community Schools and graduated from East
High in the class of 2000. Just as they were born
together, they pursued their education together.
Both graduated from Hawkeye Community College
earning Associate of Arts Degrees and studied at
Mount Mercy College. Kendra graduated with a
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Syreeta, with
a degree in Criminal Justice.
Unfortunately in 2005, Syreeta returned home
to Waterloo care for their ailing mother, Mary who
was diagnosed with Stage Four Pancreatic Cancer
until she transitioned in 2007. After the passing
of their mother, Syreeta relocated to Las Vegas,
Nevada and continued her education. She received
a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice
from Kaplan University in 2010. In the same year,
Kendra received a Master of Arts in Psychology from
Chapman University. Syreeta’s toughest challenge
was accepting life after their mother’s death. “I had
to learn to navigate my new normal. I had to learn
how to rely upon myself and honestly how to truly
take care of myself, says Syreeta. “My sadness was
the fuel I used to light my fire to become everything
I promised my mother I would be … I allow God to
lead my life … I followed the blueprint that she has
shown me.”
The death of their mother adversely affected
Kendra as well. “My mother was my best friend
and role model,” says Kendra. “I never anticipated I
would have to live my life without her. When she died,
I felt I died too. I lost my focus and will to pursue my
goals. I resigned from my job and went into a deep
depression.” Kendra knew she had to pull it together.
The last conversations with her mother helped her
regain her strength, “She wanted me to live my life
as if she was still here … to ‘follow the blueprint I
have laid out for you. You will miss me but I’ll always
Loving on Daddy Kenneth Theroith.
be in your heart. I will never leave you’” These words
and this memory serve as motivation to continue the
legacy of their mother. Realizing their blueprints were
laid out for the twins, Kendra credits God for allowing
her and her sister to land a career in the same field.
“This was not the original plan. Syreeta went to
college and studied criminal justice. However, when
she relocated to Las Vegas, she found employment
in the social services field. My sister and I are so
much like our mother, I believe it was destined for us
to end up in the human services field.”
Jan. 2020 • Immortalizing Our Stories to Implore Positive Progress In Our Communities • thesoultown.com
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