Our dearest, beautiful daughter, Shontel Lanae Way, was born on April 23, 2002, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to her loving parents, Latoya Terry (mother) and Shontez Way (father). At the age of eight, her stepfather, Charles Terry, came into her life and lovingly raised her as his own daughter.

Shontel was a happy, chunky baby whose mother affectionately gave her the nickname "Fat Ma," a name spoken with love and joy throughout her life. Shontel departed this life and went home to be with our ancestors on December 22, 2025.

As a youth, Shontel attended Horizon Science Academy and later graduated from Winton Woods High School in 2020. She excelled academically due to her deep love for reading, strong discipline, and impeccable work ethic. Shontel was a driven young woman who believed she could accomplish anything she set her mind to—and she often did.

Beyond academics, Shontel enjoyed swimming, journaling, sketching, and spending meaningful time with family and friends. Music brought her immense joy, and her favorite group was the Korean pop superstars BTS. She loved having "dance parties" in her room and decorated her space with BTS posters and elements of Korean culture. Shontel was also a huge anime fan, fully embracing creativity and imagination in all its forms.

Shontel briefly enrolled in college to pursue Architecture, a reflection of her artistic eye and structured thinking. At just 16 years old, she attended the Bluegrass Army Depot Youth Challenge Academy at Fort Knox, where she achieved the extraordinary honor of being the #1 Recruit in her class—boys or girls—and Valedictorian, an accomplishment that spoke volumes about her determination and leadership.

One of the hardest-working young people you could meet, Shontel held several jobs and excelled in every role she undertook, including one of her most recent positions with the United States Postal Service.

Shontel loved a good meal—especially chicken tenders and fries with barbecue sauce—and she cherished opportunities to travel, experiencing several vacation destinations during her time on Earth.

She was known for her beautiful, thick, long black hair and her confidence in experimenting with different hairstyles. Shontel also taught herself how to do makeup and became remarkably skilled at it. She had a gift for giving—the most thoughtful, intentional presents—and her generosity always reflected the love she carried for others.

We will forever miss Shontel's bright spirit, warm heart, and unique sense of humor. Our hearts are broken as we say goodbye, but we will carry her name, her memory, and her legacy forward—always.

Shontel was preceded in death by her cousin, Domonic Davis, grandfather, William Wallace lll and cousin, Raheem Washington.

Leaving to cherish her memory: her mother, Latoya Terry; her father and stepfather, Shontez Way & Charles Terry Sr.; her brothers, Charles Terry Jr., Shontez Way Jr. and Kelvion Way; her sisters, Diamond Way and Jada (Big Sister Program); her grandparents, Donald & Robin Ricks, Jacqulyn Washington and Nathan McFarland; her uncles, Donald Williams, Michael Ricks-Williams, Marvin Way Jr. and Garrett Mason; her aunts, Lakisha McFarland, Deidrha Wallace, LaShawn Blackmon-Way and Margo Wallace; Cory Ricks-Williams, Savannah, Ian, Ameir, Ayanna & Jhatari Williams Seira, Antuan & Jachai Wallace, Ky'Onta, MarSades, Marissa, Maranda & Marvin lll Way and Bryshaun & Jayla Brown; her special friends, Key'Era Dawson, Kyiah Oliver, Dionne Shannon and Percy Fleming along with other family and friends who loved her and miss her dearly.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, on  Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at the Walker Funeral Home - Walnut Hills Chapel, 2625 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati  (45206).   The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation,  beginning at 11:00 am. Friends and family will gather to share memories, find solace in one another's company, and honor the legacy she leaves behind.

She will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery.

We invite you to take a few moments to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with the Way family. Please click the "Tribute Wall" icon above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post."

Walker Funeral Home and Crematory  is caring for the Way family during this difficult time.  Please call 513.251.6200 or visit www.HerbWalker.com for additional information.