Obituary of Kyla Jo Burridge

Kyla Burridge, 25, entered the gates of heaven on Monday, October 11, 2021, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. She was a light to everyone that met her and faced her illness with courage and strength. 

Kyla was born on August 5, 1996, in Panama City, FL. She moved to Belgium when she was 2 years old and experienced life in Europe attending a Belgian preschool, meeting many international friends, and traveling. Kyla returned to the United States when she was 6 years old and attended elementary, middle, and high school in the Charleston area graduating from Ashley Ridge High School.  Kyla was undecided on her career path and chose to begin her college experience at Trident Technical College. Kyla was always passionate about advocating for social injustice and soon transferred to the College of Charleston to pursue an undergraduate degree in Political Science, with hopes to attend law school after graduation. Her diagnosis in August 2018 put a wrench in these plans, but with perseverance and determination she received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science in May 2019.  It is a true testament to her strength to say she carried on with her studies even through radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

Her mother and stepfather, Jo and Paul Singleton, and her father and stepmother, Sean and Christina Burridge, survive Kyla. She leaves behind her brother-Logan, whom she loved abundantly, her stepbrothers – Collin and Gavin Singleton, and her stepsisters – Moira and Riley Platt. She also leaves behind her paternal grandmother – LeeAnn Kenerson (Jack), her maternal grandparents – Billy and Bernice Cofield, her bonus grandmothers – MaryAnne Singleton and Rose Singleton, and many other family and friends that loved her. Kyla also leaves behind her sweet and faithful dog, Buffy, and her sweet kitty, Zeus, both in the care of her parents. Her bonus grandfather, Roger Singleton, who met her in heaven with a hug and a corny joke, predeceased her.

Kyla loved life and loved people, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or differing viewpoints. On any given day, you could find her wearing her love is love or black lives matter shirt or stopping to talk to someone just to find out about his or her story. During her illness, Kyla participated in two clinical trial medications and later wrote about her experience and advocacy for clinical trial participation, which was published on the Brains for a Cure website. She was also an ambassador for the Head for the Cure organization, which raises money for brain cancer research.  Along with that, she spoke and inspired many cancer survivors and their families at the Tri-County Survivors Annual event in 2019.

Throughout her illness, Kyla never complained but met each day with a smile.  She was always so grateful to everyone that cared for her and would say “thank you” often.  Kyla will be remembered as someone that exemplified the word strength, accepted others for who they are, and loved her family immeasurably.  Her favorite flower was the sunflower, which symbolizes unwavering faith and unconditional love. These beautiful flowers bloom in the late summer and early fall. In the future, when you see the sunflowers bloom, we hope you are reminded of Kyla and her kindness towards strangers, friendship to all, and love for everyone.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 23rd, at 11 am at Old Fort Baptist Church located at 10505 Dorchester Road in Summerville, SC. The family will receive family and friends at the Singleton residence directly after.  Flowers will be accepted at the service or you may contribute to a memorial fund set up in Kyla’s honor at the Head for the Cure via their website.

#BeLikeKyla