Ashanti Nichole Hilliard

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Ashanti Nichole Hilliard, age 6 of Du Quoin, passed away on Friday, March 6, 2009 at Carbondale Memorial Hospital.

Ashanti was born on December 27, 2002 in Carbondale, a daughter to Chauncy Hilliard and Zakia White. Ashanti was a first grade student at Du Quoin Elementary School where she had many friends and enjoyed playing with her brothers and sisters.

She is survived by her father: Chauncy Hilliard of Cape Girardeau, Mo., step-father: Coy Davis of Du Quoin, step-mother: Erin Hilliard of Alto Pass, maternal grandmother: Brenda Whitfield of Elkville, maternal grandfather: David White of Tacoma, Wash., paternal grandparents: Cynthia and Arthur Vann, Jr. of Du Quoin, great-grandfather: Louis Whitfield of Du Quoin, great-grandmother: Earnestine Tugle, of Carbondale, step-grandmother: Cindy Alvis of Elkville, three sisters: Shayla Johnson, Tajah Ehler and Makenzie Hilliard , one brother: Chauncy Hilliard, Jr., and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother: Zakia Nichole Davis, one brother: Julian O. Hilliard, and great-grandmother: Virginia Whitfield.

Funeral services will be held at First United Penecostal Church, Du Quoin, on Friday, March 13, 2009 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Dan McKinnies and Reverend C.L. McKinnies officiating. Interment will be in I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Du Quoin.

Friends may call at First United Penecostal Church, Du Quoin, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the family of Zakia Davis and Ashanti Hilliard.

Pyatt Funeral Home, Du Quoin, is in charge of the arrangements.

For more information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.