Kirsten La'Shay Samuel was born on December 30, 1988 to Chataqua Samuel Franklin. She was the second child out of three,

Kirsten attended school in the Huntsville Independent School District, and graduated from Huntsville High School, with the Class of 2007.

Kirsten worked as a Special Education Instructional Assistant at Stewart Elementary for 4 years and 2 years at Samuel Walker Elementary School. She had a passion for caring for the special needs students and enjoyed teaching, playing, and spending time with "my babies" as she so affectionately called them. She attended numerous trainings to stay abreast of the changes within the Special Education spectrum.

Kirsten loved attending sporting events with her children were involved in showing her motherly support. During her spare time, she enjoyed trail riding, hunting, fishing, and riding 4-wheelers. Just an all-around country girl!

Kirsten had a beautiful smile and lived life to the fullest. She would want to be remembered as outspoken, sweet, caring, loving, and a protective person over her family. She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her. On February 3, 2024, God called her to eternal rest. She was preceded in death by her aunt: Kimberly Short-Caldera.

Kirsten leaves to cherish her memories: sons: Octavious Hagans and Dectavion Hagans; daughter: Za'Naisha Hagans; a loving mother: Chataqua Samuel-Franklin (Anthony); siblings: Chanessa Samuel and Chasity Samuel; grandmother: Charlotte Short and grandfather: Roger Short; Robert Hagans (her children's father); Marietta York (children's grandmother); devoted aunt: Brenda Samuel, and a host of additional relatives and friends.