Alison "Ali" Suzanne Flanders

Miss Alison "Ali" Suzanne Flanders, 24, passed away Thursday, December 19, 2024.

Ali was born in Aiken, SC, daughter of Kara Boyer Flanders and David James Flanders, of Aiken. She was a 2018 graduate of Aiken High School where she was active in sports. She was on the Varsity softball team and swim team starting as a junior high school student.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by a sister, Cassie Flanders (Drew) Lifrage and nephew Connor Lifrage; a brother, Collin Flanders (Marina Brantley); Paternal grandparents, William and Alice Mary Flanders Capt. US Coast Guard (ret.); Aunts and Uncles, Seth Boyer, Eric Boyer (Dawn), Rick (Becky) Flanders, Linda Flanders-King, Steve Flanders and a multitude of extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Donald and Suzanne Boyer. Family has always been important and the effort to spend time with those she loved was a priority.

When Ali decided to move to Florida and become a farm hand, those who knew her chuckled! We could not imagine that our sparkly, fashion make-up and hair loving Ali would trade in her strappy sandals for rubber boots! She did - and she loved it! Her spontaneity and her willingness to try something new were just two of the hundreds of things we all loved about Ali. She was staunchly supportive and protective of those she loved. When Ali loved, she loved with every morsel of her being and we felt that love. She was committed to her partner, Brayden Opsahl, who allowed her to try many new and exciting activities in South Florida. These activities included hunting, fishing, working cattle, lobster diving and riding horses. We always smiled and chuckled when pictures of her holding a 300 pound boar or a coyote would surface on social media. Our bougie Ali did, in fact, become a farm hand through and through with a little sparkle popping out every now and then.

Ali impacted the lives of so many people in her short life. She was always willing to lend an ear or a hand to her friends and family in need. She once told me that she felt that the reason God was having her go through rough waters was so she could help others work through their pain. Ali fought hard, and in silence, for a long time. I think the pain of staying was harder than the pain of leaving us. We are all shattered by the loss of Ali and we will miss the smile, the laughter and all of the fun times we spent with her. We all wish we understood why she chose this route but we can not let that consume us. We are told in the Bible I Corinthians 13:12-13: “Now we see things imperfectly as through a cloudy mirror, but then we will see things with perfect clarity. All that I know is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me completely.” Then verse 13 completes the chapter with this, “Three things will last forever- faith, hope and love-and the greatest of these is love.” Please love those around you and check in with them continually.

Kara and family

A visitation will be held from 12-30-2:00 PM, with a Celebration of Life following at 2:00 PM, Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Cedar Creek Church, Banks Mill Campus, with Pastor Wes Holbrook officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be directed to the Overflow Foundation (www.overflow.foundation)

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC