Shirley Raines, the TikTok creator known as “Miss Shirley” for her volunteer work with homeless communities, has died at the age of 58, as per a report.

Shirley Raines: The TikTok Star “Miss Shirley,” Dies at 58

Her non-profit organization, Beauty 2 the Streetz, announced her passing on Wednesday in a statement shared on social media platform Facebook. But, the cause of death has not been disclosed.

The organization shared that, “It is with profound sorrow and heavy hearts that Beauty 2 The Streetz announces the passing of our beloved CEO and founder, Shirley Raines, affectionately known to so many as Ms. Shirley,” as quoted by an Independent report.

Miss Shirley’s Legacy in Homeless Communities

Beauty 2 the Streetz said, “Ms. Shirley dedicated her life to serving others and made an immeasurable impact on homeless communities throughout Los Angeles and Nevada. Through her tireless advocacy, deep compassion, and unwavering commitment, she used her powerful media platform to amplify the voices of those in need and to bring dignity, resources, and hope to some of the most underserved populations,” as quoted by the Independent.

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TikTok Platform Used to Empower the Vulnerable

Raines, who was a mother of six, dedicated much of her life to serving the homeless in Los Angeles and Nevada, using her social media platform to amplify the voices of those in need. Through her advocacy, generosity, and compassion, she provided hair, makeup, food, and clothing to thousands of people in underserved communities, often greeting them with dignity and respect, calling them “kings” and “queens,” as per the Independent report.

Her efforts gained widespread attention, and she built a following of over five million on TikTok with her heartfelt posts and livestreams.

Helping Hands: Hair, Makeup, Food, and Clothing for the Homeless

Raines told PEOPLE in 2020 that, "One of the things I wanted to do was change the face of homelessness, and I thought I was going to do that through hair and all these things," adding, "But I soon understood we needed to change the narrative of what 'homeless' means. Just because they're without a home does not mean they're without love. They are homeless, but a lot of them are not jobless. A lot of them are not kidless, phoneless or familyless. There are many levels of poverty as there are many levels of wealth," as quoted by PEOPLE.

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CNN Hero of the Year 2021: Recognizing Shirley Raines

In 2021, she was also named CNN Hero of the Year and awarded $100,000 to expand her work through Beauty 2 the Streetz. Raines credited a 2017 church trip to Skid Row, a notoriously impoverished area in downtown Los Angeles, as the inspiration to begin her charity work.

Inspiration from Skid Row: How Miss Shirley Started Her Charity

Reflecting on that visit, she told CNN, “I’m like, ‘Oh, this is where all the broken people are? Oh, I’ve been looking for y’all all my life,” adding, "I never wanted to leave. It’s a place where people have amazing hearts, but nobody can see it because they can’t see the forest for the trees," as quoted by the Independent.

Personal Tragedy Shaped Her Mission

Raines’ life was marked by personal tragedy as well. Her two-year-old son, Demetrius, had passed away in 1990. She spoke openly about the grief, depression, and financial struggles she faced in the years after his passing, describing her work in the community as a “purpose for her pain.”

FAQs

Who was Shirley Raines?
Shirley Raines, also known as Miss Shirley, was a TikTok creator and volunteer dedicated to helping homeless communities in Los Angeles and Nevada.

How did Shirley Raines help the homeless?
She provided hair, makeup, food, clothing, and support to people in need, often calling them “kings” and “queens.”