In July 2021, Speak Up’s Lana Shaw met Micheal Glass and Crystal Coffman (who went by “Gypsy Glass”) in Black Mountain, NC.

Writing on Facebook, Lana describe the broad strokes of their story:

Last week I met precious Michael and Gypsy. Husband and wife unhoused couple who had been walking for days to get away from the violence, drugs, and instability of their last camp.

Over the course of the next few days, Lana got to know them well. When they parted ways, she described them as “peaceful, joyful, and resolute.”

In the subsequent 12 months, through dozens of emails and text messages, they became staples in the Speak Up community. They first joined as “vendors” for Speak Up, selling magazines and subscriptions as a source of income.

Then, as they traveled in North Carolina and Tennessee and fought their own battle homelessness, they became advocates for those most in need: writing, interviewing, and helping share the stories and others—as well as passing out Pursuit Packs to spark opportunity.

It was with great sadness that we learned of Gypsy’s sudden death in a car accident this past July.

Her obituary begins:

[Gypsy was] a resident of Cleveland passed away Thursday, July 21, 2022. Crystal loved making jewelry and she truly loved music.  She was a free spirit and loved to dance. Crystal loved her kids and had a great sense of humor.  She was an advocate for the homeless, and worked with Speak [Up] Magazine.   

Among others, Gypsy left behind her fiancee (Michael), her sister (Stephanie), her mother (Kimberly), and five children.

Stephanie contacted us on Facebook and shared Gypsy’s final piece of writing, which she had been planning to to send to Speak Up.

Below is Stephanie’s remembrance of her sister, followed by Gypsy’s final piece.

ABOUT GYPSY

By Stephanie Pugh

These are the last words my sweet sister wrote. She was very concerned about the well-being of others when it came to addiction.

Unfortunately she could not overcome her own demons.

On Thursday, July 21st, she died.

My sister was a beautiful soul. She cared about others. She was an advocate for the homeless and really believed in the work she did for the magazine. She was a great big sister and a fighter. She fought for the people she loved.

The name Gypsy was very fitting for her, as she was a free spirit.

She would go wherever the wind blew her!

And she made an impact wherever she went.

For better or worse, many people knew who she was—and had a story to tell about her.

She was a force to be reckoned with, and left an impact on the world in her own way.

I will never forget her.

I will keep her in my heart always.

SEVEN TIPS FOR NEEDLE KNOWLEDGE

By Gypsy Glass

My name is Gypsy and I am a 13-year-clean intravenous drug addict.

I thought I would school y’all on needle safety.

If you are suffering from addiction you don't have to risk disease.

I know. Because of not being safe, I suffer from hepatitis C. If I had just gone to the needle exchange I wouldn't have it. 

1. Always wash your hands.

2. Never reuse a syringe. 

3. Always rinse out your needles with bleach or vinegar before you dispose of them.

4. Put used needles in a safe container for disposal or a plastic bottle with a lid.

5. Go to the needle exchange.

6. If you suffer from addiction look up na meetings near you. There is help out there if you want it.

7. Get checked by a doctor on a regular basis. Stay informed!