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Mom of slain Peach Stand worker 'living to bring honor to daughter's life'

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Less than a month ago, a South Carolina mother lost her daughter to senseless gunfire.

Karson Whitesell was shot and killed while working at the Peach Stand in Fort Mill on Jan. 23.

Whitesell’s 20th birthday would have been on Sunday.

"It hasn't even been a month since she's passed away, and I'm already facing my first milestone without her, her birthday,” said Debbie Whitesell, Karson’s mother. “It’s tough. Karson would have been 20 years old today. She was so excited not to be a teenager.”

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In Karson’s honor, friends and family released biodegradable balloons of various colors to represent her love for tie-dye, a staple in her life.

"If you asked Karson what her favorite color was, she would tell you tie-dye, and I would say, ‘Karson, that's not a color.’ She would say, ‘Yes it is mom,’" Debbie Whitesell said.

Debbie admits that it has been a difficult few weeks since her daughter’s death, but with the community’s support, she’s been able to tackle life one day at a time.

“The support from the community, prayers and messages, it truly helps ease my burden,” Debbie Whitesell said. “I mean, it doesn’t make me miss her any less. It doesn’t make me any less sad, but it helps to ease the burden of carrying on without her,” she said.

Since Karson’s death, Debbie Whitesell has channeled her pain into purpose, creating a nonprofit called the Karson Kompassion Project.

Compassion is spelled with a “K” just like Karson would have wanted.

"If you knew Karson as a kid, she would introduce herself as Karson with a K. She was very sassy about that," Debbie Whitesell said.

The first large project for Karson’s Kompassion Project will be work in Swaziland, a place she was passionate about.

“The tagline of the organization is spreading peace and love to those in the shadows,” Debbie Whitesell said. “The intent is to take care of those on the fringe, those who need a little extra love and attention. There’s people who need attention all over the world. Right in our backyard as well as overseas.”

The trip to Swaziland is expected to take place sometime this summer.

Debbie Whitesell said she’s working with another organization to iron out the logistics.

“Of course, I’m sad. Of course, I miss her terribly. But it doesn’t bring any good to stay in bed all day and cry,” she said. “I’m trying to live to bring honor to my daughter’s life.”

Nishi G’s, a local restaurant, is planning a benefit on Saturday to help the family.

Tickets will be sold this week at the restaurant. Plates of BBQ will be sold for $10 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. with all of the proceeds going to the Whitesell family.

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