Chatham, Kirstyn Rockers

The family of Kirstyn Catherine Rockers Chatham is profoundly saddened to announce her sudden passing on September 15, 2026. Kirstyn lived twenty-seven beautiful years. Those years were marked by a fierce love for her people, a wicked sense of humor, and a spirit that came on strong. But once you were hers, you were seen, loved…home.

Kirstyn was born on May 17, 1999, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She grew up between Ohio and Virginia, but it was Kansas that held her heart. She proudly called it home and made the trip back as often as she could to stay close to her roots. Fittingly, she was a passionate Kansas City Royals fan through and through.

For fourteen years, more than half of her life, Kirstyn endured significant mental and physical health battles. She met that fight with a tenacity that everyone who knew her still marvels at…those closest to her will tell you she was one of the strongest people they’ve ever known. Kirstyn was not defined by her struggles, she was defined by how she lived in spite of them. She built a life that was full and truly joyful, and in the years before her passing, she was winning. Kirstyn sought out mastery of her pain, deepened her bonds with her family, and built a community from the foundation of Hokie House: a home that gave rise to many of her most cherished relationships, including the love of her life.

She is preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Les Rockers, her paternal grandfather, Robert Chatham, her uncle, Roger Rockers, and her infant brother, Dwight Todd Chatham, who passed before her birth. We are comforted knowing that they were there to welcome her.

Kirstyn is survived by her parents, Mike and Janice, her older sister, Kylee, and her partner, Shane Smith. She also leaves behind her beloved rescue dog, Athena, her extended relatives: grandmothers, aunts, uncles, cousins; and the abundance of friends that she considered family. We extend our sympathy to the family and all, near and far, who mourn Kirstyn’s departure.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, September 20, at McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg, VA, with visitation at 6:00 PM and a memorial service at 7:00 PM. A gathering will follow at Hokie House to share in our love, our laughs, and our favorite stories of Kirstyn.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the causes Kirstyn and her family cared about:
 Pulaski County Humane Society
 First Responders Pack Foundation
 American Foundation for Suicide Prevention