by
Black Girl With Long Hair
Hello everyone.
It was recently confirmed to me that T’Neil, who is featured in the story below, passed away on July 20 after a weeklong battle with a sudden, unexpected illness. The day T’Neil died I noticed that BGLH had a huge jump in traffic — I soon realized it was from friends and family coming to see T’Neil in her element and show their final respects.
The story of T’Neil and D’Neil’s natural hair journey was particularly touching and, even though I don’t know them personally, I was devastated to learn that T’Neil died just a couple weeks after being featured here. I’m glad that BGLH was able to be a small part of her life before she left us.
Rest in peace, T’Neil. Thanks for sharing your life with us.
~Leila
I recently posted a story about best friends who went natural together. Here’s another cute story. 17-year-old Kentucky twins D’Neil and T’Neil inspired each other (and their mother!) to take the natural plunge.
The twins, relaxed
Twins: We live in Lexington, KY where we are incoming seniors in high school. To pay for all the things we enjoy (shopping, partying, dining out etc.) we do eyebrow threading.
T’neil: I was the first to go natural, about two years ago the summer before our sophomore year. After pretty much having had every haircut and style in the book I needed to do something new and refreshing. I also wanted a style that no one else had.
I was overdue for a relaxer and my curly new growth caught my attention, so I cut the remaining relaxed ends off and the rest is history.
I think my decision to go natural had a lot to do with my sister’s desire to go natural. She was my #1 fan when I went through with it.
D’neil: I was fed up with having to constantly relax and do my hair. My money and time was being eaten up at the beauty salon and there was no diversity in getting perms for me anymore. I often found myself bored and displeased with my hair. With my sister being natural, I already had a taste of what the process would be like for me but I wasn’t really sure. Then my mom decided to go natural and cut her hair and that’s when I knew for sure that I wanted to go natural too.
D’Neil’s new look
Twins: For the most part people were shocked as to why we would cut off all of our “pretty” long hair. Our friends and family loved it and supported us the whole way. Living in a fairly small town in Kentucky, natural hair is almost completely unheard of here. A lot of people weren’t used to it, so of course we have heard every joke in the book. But it’s grown on a lot of people and now guys can’t keep there hands off our hair.
Our best tip for transitioners is, “Don’t get caught up in what everyone else is going to think or say and embrace your natural beauty, because what you’re doing is normal, everyone else is assimilating to someone else’s idea of beauty. LOVE your hair.
136 Responses
T’neil I know you looking down on me and D’neil and everybody else I wish I can see you 1more time and I wish you could meet Bella and Landon everybody misses you that’s why I pray every night that everybody safe and you’re in a better place. Love and miss you you’re little cousin Tre
i love you T’neil I Really Miss You You Were like a big sister to me and i love you tneil i know your looking over me and it hurts to know that your not here any more i love you and will ALWAYS keep you close to my heart :’)
I am truly sorry for your loss. I am currently at odds with my sister, but this puts life into perspective. I am so sorry that your family had to experience this, and I hope that you remember her happy even when you yourselves are sad.
t’neil, i think about you everyday i will NEVER forget about you! i love you beautiful angel save me a spot in heaven please 🙂 i love you.
This hurts my heart; I just came across this post when searching for something else on the site. These girls and their mom are beautiful.I have a set of twins and I could’nt even imagine – Im sending you much much love and blessings.
~Stay Strong.
t’neil,
theres not a day that goes by that i dont think of you, you mean so much to me and not being able to see your beautiful face hurts me alot inside if i could take it all back believe i would i wish that i had came to the hospital to say my last good byes but i know that you are watching down over me and you hear me each and every day, but i know that with faith god will allow me to see you again someday and this time it will be everlasting which makes me happy to know that when he comes back to bring me home i finally get to meet with you again….& i cannot wait 🙂
I LOVE YOU & MISS YOU T’NEIL DAVON MARTIN,, always have & always will.
-i will forever keep you & my heart,, no matter where you may be….
I have a sister. she inspired me to go natural and we’re 17 mos. apart. Our mom is a twin. and we inspired our mom to go natural too. I don’t know what I would do. God be with you.
oh my gosh, i’m so sorry, it sounds like it was very unexpected. Denisha, I’ll keep you and your family in my thoughts.
she was beautiful.
Today is the twins birthday! Show them some love! May T’neil rest in peace! Happy birthday angel! Happy birthday D’neil, the arms of God are around you! you are a beautiful spirit! Blessings on your day!
Love
K.
RIP
I am so sorry for this family’s lost. My prayers are with them.
I never really knew T’neil and D’neil, but they were in my junior english class. I always thought they were absolutley beautiful, and I always saw them together. They were the sweetest people I had ever met, and extremely bright. When I came back for my senior year and saw her picture on peoples tags and shirts I just kept saying that’s not her until it said in the youth service center RIP T’neil. I was completely shocked, and it seemed so unfair. I wish I had gotten to know them better, but I only see D’neil in the hallways and it just seems so unnatural to see her without her twin. I imagine it’s hard on her because twins are usually always closer. I’m terribly sorry for your loss, and I wish the best for your whole family. She left a big impression on me, and everyone else.
This story makes me cry and it’s so heartbreaking, it hits close to home for me. I’m an identical twin and we both went natural together in Jan 2010. I feel even closer to D’neil and T’neil (we’re right around the same age) I send my prayers to the grieving family. God Bless.
Hello everyone. This is T’neil’s mom and I just want to express my appreciation for all the prayers, well wishes and words of encouragement you all have extended to us. I am comforted each time I receive a notification that a new post has been added. May God bless each of you according to your needs and His Will.
may god bless & be with you also 🙂
T’neil will always be with you in spirit,, she is BEAUTIFUL.
i will forever love you and i cannot wait until we meet again!
This is so sad, I pray for their families and friends.
i love you T’neil , until we meet again my lovee <3 .
so sorry to hear this 🙁
Hey ya!
I am having some hair problems, I am trying to go natural but my hair is so tripped out, I don’t know what to do….I have a natural curly wavy hair anyway, the kind that even perms can’t take the wave out, so I am going all natural, I am only half way there, but when I go to work, I try to wear the straight styles which require some flat irons, and here recently, my irons broke (oh-boy) and I have been just wearing it back in a pony tail, letting my hair rest, but it’s messing with my style, do you think I should get braid during this crucial moment?
R.I.P T’Neil. T’neil along with D’Neil were both and still are very beatiful. As thier younger cousin I really look up to them.Seeing them with their natural hair was such an inspiration to love my own thick naturally curly locks no matter what people say. T’Neil was and still is sooo beautiful and will never be forgotten. Beauty all around like T’Neils and D’Neils is hard to find. So when you find it never forget it! R.est I.n P.aradise T’Neil…< Your little couzin:)
Sorry to hEar about this. My heart goes out to the family. And I was just talking to my hubby about them showing him the pictures of them because I thought it was great that they supported each other in their journey to natural hair. And now to hear about the passing of one is just devastating.0
I am so sad to hear this tragic news. I just pray the God gives you peace that surpasses all understanding. Again, I will be praying for you and your family. God bless.
this just really kinda broke my heart. I read the initial interview, and thought they were fab. And then this :(. I’m so sorry to hear. I can imagine that she is missed. I hope that the family finds a way to grieve and cope. May her light forever shine on.
I can’t imagine what her family is going through. They are in my thoughts and my prayers. May T’Neil rest in perfect peace.
So sorry to hear about her loss. My prayers go out to her family.
I am so sad to hear this. She was such a pretty girl, I’ll be praying for her family. 🙁
This is devastating to hear! I reviwed their story a number of times when it posted because I thought they were just so darn adorable! My heart hurts for the family, & I pray God’s comfort give them strength right now. I am still shocked; what beautiful angel….
This is very sad to hear. My prayers go out to the family. She shined even in the pictures and this brief glimpse into her life from this article.
GOD IS SO AMAZING & HE PICKS THE PRETTIEST FLOWERS 🙂 MAY HE CONTINUE TO GIVE YOU STRENGTH ALWAYS !
God bless their family! Pray they continue to lean on the Lord for strength.
This is extremely sad news. I remember reading the post and thinking that both sisters were gorgeous and feeling inspired by their close bond and how they had embraced their natural hair together. For such a young women to pass away when she had her whole ahead of her… it really puts things into perspective. Life is truly a blessing and no one is promised tomorrow.
Really terrible news. Her family is definitely in my thoughts.
So so sorry to hear that! RIP and best wishes to the family during this hard time.
OMG as a person with a twin sister I could not imagine how it would feel if something like that happened to me. This made me shed a tear, I send my condolences to the family.
This is heartbreaking. My prayers are with her family. Life is so precious and this is an example why we cannot take it for granted. She was a beautiful young woman and her memory will not be lost.
I’m so sorry to hear this. I will be praying for the family. God will give them strength, comfort, and healing. God bless
RIP-T’Neil and my prayers go out to you and your family….
oh my goodness – this is so sad! condolences to her sister and the rest of her family and friends.
My condolences and my prayers to her family….R.I.P. and love your pain and suffering is now over!!!!
I am so sorry for the loss of one of our beautiful natural sisters, taken too soon. My condolences to D’Neil and her family. Rest in peace T’Neil.
R.I.P
I have a twin sister so this news hits me so hard. I can’t image my life without my twin…
I will be praying for the family.
A truly sad loss of young, beautiful and vibrant young woman, although I did not know her personally, my thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends at this difficult time.
Sending thoughts and prayers to those who love T’Neil. I thank both sisters for sharing their story with us.
Wow that is so sad. Such a beautiful girl. My prayers and condolences are with her family. May God bless them.
It must be hard for her family and especially for a twin to lose her other half. My heart goes out to you D’Neil.
to her twin *typo*
My condolences to the twin and family, I was amazed by her beautiful hair. Gob Bless and give you comfort in your time of need.
My heart goes out to her sister, her mother, family and friends. Such a beautiful person (from what I see here) and with all of the visits, I’m sure she was a dear hearted woman.
I am so saddened by this news. I am only 5 months natural and the twins story inspired me. I even shared their photos with my coworker. I pray for peace for the family. May she rest in peace.
So young and beautiful )= so sorry for your families loss. )= rest in piece.
My prayers go out to their family. Its difficult loosing someone you love and no words can ever describe it but, I wish them the best and thought time cannot remove any of the pain that loss causes it can however allow you manage it and those are my prayers for you an your family.
This is so sad to hear. She was so young and so beautiful. My heart goes out to her family
Such a beautiful story and T’Neil such a beautiful spirit. I pray for her family’s strength Romans 8:26. Thank you for sharing this story.
I am really sad to read this. I admired them both when I first read the story. I wish them God’s comfort and peace. Blessings to their family.
T’Neil gave me a great gift. A slap in the face to remind me that tomorrow is not promised. Thank you, T’Neil…I really did need that. I am so grateful that she shared her beautiful and confident spirit with this community before her passing. Peace be with her family.
Oh no! I’m shocked to say the least! She’s in a better place.
she is in a better place.. may her soul rest in peace & God bless her family
Wow, i have a twin and i understand and appreciate the bond. It is so nice that the two of them could go thru the natural experience together! Having a twin is such a blessing, they reminded me of me and my sister. I cant imagine the pain that your family is having to experience. My prayers are with the family.
God bless T’Neil and her family.
This is so sad. I wish her family comfort and hope she rests in peace.
i’m shocked. i’m so sorry to hear this. my dad is a twin so i know twins have a unique and special bond. prayers to d’neil and their mom and the rest of the family. just heartbreaking!!
omg, that really made me cry :'( nothing is like the bond with twins, I’m so sorry to her family. Oh wow
Oh my God, seriously, when I saw ‘sad news’ I honestly thought it was something hair-related and the heading was supposed to be tongue in cheek. Then, having read, on, I was not prepared…like Leila said, I didn’t know her personally but this news hit me, honest to God. We are a closer community than we know, here on bglh, and we’ve lost one of the newest members of our family…I pray she is at peace.
Very tragic 🙁 My condolences to T’Neil’s family.
Oh my, I’m sorry to hear of the news of her untimely passing. Both of the girls are beautiful…now she may rest in peace with the Lord. God Bless the family and friends as they cope with their loss; our prayers are with you!
Wow- I was really inspired by her story and very sad to hear about this. Rest in peace!!! Such a beautiful woman!
This hurts my heart. I pray for peace and comfort for her family and friends! I’m sure she was dearly loved and will be missed. Such a beautiful young lady.
OMG This Is So Sad To Hear, My Heart Goes Out To The Family. I Definitely Read The Feature And Thought They Were So Adorable…
R.I.P. T’Neil
WOW Iam truly taken a back from thhis truly I mean Iam in total shock I lost my older brother unexpected last year and this is truly hitting home. May god bless her whole entire family wow
The family is in my prayers
Wow I am so sorry to hear this news 🙁 I remember reading the story and admiring the twins beauty. I am so sorry to hear of the family’s loss. RIP T’Neil you have inspired many – your memory will continue to live on in the lives of all who were priviledged to know you. Much love and prayers to the family, may God be your strength during this difficult time
may you rest in heavenly peace
This is terribly sad news and I wish the entire family comfort and peace in an incredibly difficult time. RIP T’Neil. You have touched many lives
That is very sad.
May her soul rest in peace.
Wow that’s sad to hear, praying for her family!
I am so sad to hear about her passing. I pray her family and friends finds some peace and comfort during these hard time.
Much love to those who knew her.
This is very sad news and although I do not know the family I am sadened yet relieved we can celebrate her life. I loved this feature when it first dropped because they were twins and looked amazing along with thier mother. I pray the family makes it through these difficult times.
i loved there , seeing t’neils look change from the ordinary girl to what i called her this new bohemian chick ! LOL . i was really close to her nd her sister . r i p beautiful , i love yu !!!
Rest in peace, T’Neil…your family, friends, and loved ones are in my prayers.
Condolences to the sister and family.
My heart goes out to her sister. As someone who has grown much closer to my sister since the death of our mom, I am very sensitive to the special bond that sisters share. I can’t imagine losing my sister. In my culture, twins have special powers/connection. It’s a connection that defies death. I hope that connection is a comfort to her sister. May God bless her and her mom and give them the strength to deal with their heartbreak.
Ms. Denisha, I send you my condolences. For a life to be taken so quickly and when T’neil was supposed to be enjoying her life to the fullest is a true tragedy. Please continue to stay strong and our heavenly father will continue watching over your family. You and your family are in my prayers.
enjoy paradise, beautiful lady.
That is sad to hear. She was a beautiful girl. I pray that her family is comforted with fond memories of her. Rest well.
My thoughts and prayers are with T’neil’s family during this difficult time. I know that one day you will all meet again.
All the best,
I send extra sources of strength and my deepest condolences to the family.
shocked and saddened by this news! My sympathies go out to the family. T’Neil definitely made her mark on the world – seems that she went too soon…
Rest in Peace, T’Neil! You have been an inspiration for all of us down here on Earth to rejoice in how Almighty God made us!
As much as we talk about hair, we must remember that our inner beauty towards God and our fellow neighbor matters most. We only have one life and therefore cannot lose sight on the most important things in life. I pray you will have everlasting joy in God’s presence.
Love,
A Fellow Natural Sistah!
I thought the story of the twins was so cute and inspirational. It reminded me of my mother and her identical twin sister. I pray T’neil’s family/friends find ease in a difficult time. May she rest in peace.
Awww, that is soo sad. My condolences to the family and may she rest in perfect peace.
Rest in peace T’Neil, your hair and your story were a great inspiration!!! May God Bless your family.
Rest in peace!
How sudden and sad. I echo everyone else’s comments and would like to extend my condolences to the family.
RIP!
That is so sad. My prayers go out to T’Neil’s beautiful, mother, sister, and the rest of her family.
I’m so sorry to hear this. I loved the feature on the twins and their mom. I’m keeping the family in my thoughts.
My prayers and condolences go out to her family and friends
May She Rest In Perfect Peace x
I’m so sorry to hear this. I wish the family all the best.
may she rest in peace. xoxoxo
aww omg, when i first read this post i kept reading it over and over i loved it because the girls looked so fun and funky and it made me wish i had a twin. So even though i didn’t know the girls when i opened up this page today and heard the news of t’neil’s death i was in utter shock. By looking at the girls I can see thier joyous and bubbly personalities through their pics so I can only imagine how T’neil was in person. May she rest in peace ) :
May she rest in peace. ?
Rest in paradise baby t’neil 🙁 gone but never forgotten
I just wanted to thank you for such a beautiful feature of my daughters. I appreciate all of the love shown us through all your comments. T’neil passed away on July 20, 2010 after a week long battle from a sudden and unexpected illness. I know my baby girl is walking around heaven right now making the angels smile because her halo is sitting high on top of her “funky” fro. Be encouraged and be blessed. Mama loves you T’neil.
R.I.P TNeil you are in a better place. Praying for you and ur family
My hair is just like that, but evrybody kept tellin me to get a perm…don’t think i will now. Even in heaven you’ve inspired me girls ! REST IN PEACE T’NEIL, YOUR LEXINGTON FAMILY LOVES YOU !
The natural look enhances the already beautiful features and personalities of my beautiful neices….I love you both so much!!!
D’Neil’s low cut is ge-or-gus on her!!!!!! Actually I love the different looks of the whole family!
T’Neil an D’Neil are my cousins, and I think what you all have chosen to do should be an inspiration to all of us. Plus you two are very beautiful young ladies and I love you very much. Keep doing what you do girls…
Awwww, the ladies look beautiful! It’s great to see the whole family make the switch. Kudos!
You both look amazing! Your styles are funky, fresh, and hip!! You girls look so cute with your low hair cuts!! Congrats on inspiring each other!
I am loving my natural hair, also live in Lexington Ky, we need to have a meet and greet for all the beautiful women wearing natural hair!!!! Love this site!!!!!! so inspirational
Wow! They all look amazing! Especially the low cut! Gorgeous!
Hold up, I went natural too, yall cant forget about me. But Twins I said ” awwwwwwww look at my lil cuz’s, I’m proud of you guys.” when I seen that. I love yall hair. I like all the crazy hair styles especially the ones Aunt Shanta had. Love ya…
I love thier hair! D’neil’s shape up os FIERCE and it fits her!
WOOOOOHOOO C/O 2011!!!!!!!!!
You two are so beautiful & so is your mom!
Leila you should do a series like this, “Sisters that go natural together and best friends that go natural together” I love this!!!
Wow! I am very proud of you guys and I am so glad that I am natural too. Almost a year now!!! T’neil, you and your Aunt Shanta were two of the first people that inspired me:) I tell your dad all the time that I simply love how you all express yourselves. You do it so fabulously. I know a lot comes from him but I see it in your mom too, she is beautiful! Love you guys!!!
You all are the flyest girls in Kentucky! Your style is second to none. D’Neil I told you that you would love the natural look. Nesha look fabulous! Now we have to work on Granny and Aunt Jamikka-they refuse to let those perms go! Love yall
AWWW! THEY ARE TOO CUTE! I LOVE this.
I am natural and living in Lexington, KY as well! There is not a large community of natural women here and it is great to see young ladies walking in the power of their natural hair! Wonderful!
They are gorgeous! And go MOM!
They are too cute! Their mom is beautiful as well! They are ROCKIN that natural hair.
What a group of pretty ladies. Love the naturals!
oooh d’neils short cut look amazing it really suits her!!!
That’s fly. And is it just me or is moms looking like she could be the older sister? Go ‘head ladies!
Ohhh she is rocking that fade! Two beautiful girls.
So cute!! I love what she said at the end!! Beautiful aldies!!
That fact that they all have such pretty faces even makes it better! I think they actually look prettier with natural hair!!
I love it!!! Love both looks too
That is beautiful.
Beautiful fam!
awww the twins and their mom are all so adorable…i loved all their hair from T’Neils gorgeous curly fro to D’Neil & mom’s TWAs…
how utterly cute! and I dont think I’ve ever seen anyone rock a lowboy in such a pretty way as D’neil, looking BEAUTIFUL!! Love that the whole family did it together 😀 My mommy is transitioning right now and I’m so happy for her.
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I love both of their hairstyles! They are so cute!