RAEFORD, NC — A community is heartbroken and a family shattered as Raeford mourns the devastating loss of Aaliyah Unique Isles, who passed away on August 4, 2025, at just 18 years old. Known to so many simply as “Lili,” Aaliyah’s death has left an indescribable void in the hearts of everyone who knew her — especially those who considered her more than family, even without blood ties.
Aaliyah was a vibrant and deeply loved young woman whose presence lit up every space she entered. Her infectious energy, fierce loyalty, and unbreakable bonds with those around her made her unforgettable. She wasn’t just loved — she was essential to those who were part of her daily life.
“To the world, she may have just been my daughter’s best friend,” one close family member shared through tears, “but to me, she was my daughter too. Every single day she was here — laughing, hugging us, telling us she loved us. We were pregnant together. Our babies are just a month apart. This pain is beyond anything I can explain. She was my best friend. My soul hurts.”
Aaliyah was cherished not only by her mother, father, sister, and daughter, but by an extended family of love — a unit that held her close, raised her up, and now must face life without her. The grief is raw, heavy, and painfully real.
A funeral service honoring her life will be held on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Raeford, NC. The family asks for continued prayers, especially for Aaliyah’s immediate family and the many others whose lives were intertwined with hers in ways only they truly understand.
Aaliyah Unique Isles may be gone, but her spirit — her laughter, her love, her loyalty — lives on. In every memory, every tear, and every act of justice her loved ones promise to carry forward, she will never be forgotten.
“We got you, baby girl. Just like we always have.”