Tributes from Inside

Remembrances from Inside by Marcia Bunney, Beverly "Chopper" Henry, Judy Ricci, Mary Shields, and Beatrice Smith-Dyer.

Remembrance by Marcia Bunney:

Friendship is a rare and precious thing. A gift two people give each other. A friendship that survives trying times, years of stress and fear and never-ending struggle, is beyond price- indeed, almost beyond description.

Charisse Shumate was such a friend. Through legal work, we forged a relationship that enabled us to do the things necessary to endure the experiences of long-term incarceration. Cry, laugh- and fight the system. Fight it hard and well, together.

Charisse, my friend and sister warrior, I miss you. We all miss you. Rest peacefully. Your work is done.
 

Charisse "Happy" Shumate, you are greatly loved, admired and missed. Being in your company through the years has been a pleasure, to sit back and watch you protest an injustice was awesome. I truly admire your strength, courage and "big" heart. You were always there when we needed you. Thank you for teaching us that this really all about "we" not "me" and "we" will forever miss you.
 

Once again I find myself grief stricken and angry over the loss of a fellow prisoner. Multiple the feeling by 100 because Charisse "Happy" Shumate was more than just a peer...she was a loyal friend, a mentor, a strong warrior, a fierce advocate for basic human rights and decent medical care, not only for herself but for the rest of us.

When I met Happy, she was already very sick. I was in awe of her... because no matter how sick she was or how much she hurt, her own human frailty never got in the way of her extending a helping hand to another. She was absolutely one amazing human being...and a hard act to follow. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to know her, to have been someone that she cared about, and to have been able to tell her what I thought about her and how much she mean to me.

Dearest Happy, if you were here today, I could tell you how I have become so frustrated because no matter how hard we fight - it seems nothing ever changes. You see so many atrocities here, medical neglect, malpractice, suffering, death...that you start to expect it and it starts to fell normal and commonplace.

Your passing has renewed my anger, refueled my fight...reminded me that we must never become complacent. You have passed the torch and we will carry it forward.

I love you. I miss you... In love, hope, strength, solidarity... ALWAYS!!!
 

My sister, my friend... "Happy" your life here on this earth is over, but in my heart you have a very special place. Right now my heart is in pain because, I miss you so much. Just last Friday we all were together talking and laughing in your room.

I sit here in this visiting room thinking about you and all of the good times we shared in this room. I know that now you are at peace. And so am I. On earth you were my sister and now you are my angel. Rest in peace my big sister. You will always be with me. And yes, one day I will leave this place.

With you in my heart, I will continue to fight on in your name because you have changed my life as you have for so many others. Rest now my sister. Your fight is over. Thank you.
 

Charisse was such a loving person and if you needed a hand, her hand was out there for you. I admired her courage, her strength and her beautiful heart. Most people are always looking for a purpose in life. Happy's was to he there for other people, even at a high cost.

I have been in the emergency room because of my own medical problem and Happy walked in and made them treat me, right along with her. How? Because when she talked people listened. She demanded respect for herself and every inmate in CCWF. It wasn't just about her. There are times when I saw Happy sitting in the middle of a crowd and you could tell they were in awe of her presence. Happy was loved by many.