Priscella Espanola Shoals

Priscella Espanola Shoals, age 41, beloved daughter and sister, was embraced by God on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, at her home in Las Vegas, NV. She is survived by her parents, Wilford and Hermenia Shoals, and her two sisters, Patricia and Maria Theresa Shoals.

Priscella was born on Clark Air Force Base on August 29, 1977 in the Philippines. She was the middle child. Being the middle child meant that she was not only full of energy, but also full of trouble, with plenty of trips to the emergency room. Although, she was diagnosed with scoliosis at a young age, that never slowed her down. In fact, her nickname was “Thumper,” because when she ran around the field she was so fast, she looked like a rabbit. She became a coveted athlete with coaches and recruiters, and played for the girls’ basketball state championship in her freshman year in high school.

Priscella didn’t just excel in athletics, but performed well in academics and in music, too.  She was part of the St. James Choir. She played guitar, and taught herself to play piano and the drums.  In high school, she was accepted into the Las Vegas Academy of the Performing Arts. She stood out from the crowd, and won many awards and honors during her years at the academy. She may have been a young guitar player, but she played beyond her years.

In high school she auditioned for the prestigious University of Southern California’s music program and was accepted. However, life events diverted her from the path to USC and in the end she attended UNLV. Throughout her early twenties, Priscella explored the city of Las Vegas meeting diverse artists, playing and singing in bands and musical groups, and delving into other interests such as boxing and modeling. The little tomboy grew into a beautiful woman.

In 2010, Priscella started to work for the Mandalay Bay, where she developed strong bonds and close friendships with her coworkers. She was always there to take a late night call from a friend who needed to talk.  It wasn’t unusual for her to have 2 to 3 jobs at one time because she always wanted to keep busy. But her favorite job was being the Godmother to Natalie’s little boy, Ian.  Priscella loved Ian with all her heart and cherished him like he was her own son.

Priscella was very family oriented.  She loved checking in on her parents and always had her door open to friends who needed a place to stay. And now as her life draws to an end, she is now welcomed into the House of the Lord where she will be embraced by those loved ones who have passed and by God’s love.