Shihadeh Nakleh Bir

Shihadeh Nakleh Bir, 54 of Irmo, South Carolina, passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

Born on October 25, 1971, in Jerusalem, Palestine, he was a son of Ghada Rene (Joudeh) Bir and the late Nakleh Shihadeh Bir.

Shihadeh was a kind soul who worked every day of his life to take care of his beloved family and friends. He called his mother daily to check on her and to express his love. He loved his animal companions, taking in rescues and strays and giving each one the patience, protection, and proper care he believed they deserved. Shihadeh was an entrepreneur, he was building something of his own, starting a pressure washing business from the ground up with determination and grit. The business was named GNS following in the legacy of the family’s beloved corner store that was in downtown Charleston with the initials standing for the names of his parents and siblings. Shihadeh couldn’t sit still; he was a tinkerer making house improvements for fun, a gardener like his father, and he often roamed the city and stores to find special and unique vintage items or discounted items to restore and resell. He would often call his parents or siblings when he found something particularly interesting to brag about. Yet even in the midst of his daily work, his thoughts often stretched far beyond his neighborhood. He spoke openly about the social and political struggles affecting his family overseas in Palestine, using his voice to raise awareness and remind others that compassion doesn’t stop at the borders.

Anyone who ever met Shihadeh would remember him because he had a huge personality and character; He loved to tell stories, keep us on our toes with his opinions, and even spent time philosophizing for fun. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten, especially for his laughter. 54 years was not enough time with him; please hold your loved ones close and please work to make the world a better place so the type of violence that took him doesn’t happen again.

Shihadeh is preceded in death by his father, Nakleh Shihadeh Bir, and his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Shihadeh is survived by his mother, Ghada Rene (Joudeh) Bir; brother, Nader Bir (Rasha Bir); two sisters, Nancy Bir and Nadeen Bir (Josh Zaslow); five nieces and nephews, Rosemary, Daniella, Amir; Tula and Elby. Shihadeh is survived by his loving partner of 17 years Tori Dixon; and their royal family of boxers - Gideon, Gidget, Cottonball, Snowball, Tater Tot, and Stogie, along with his latest adoption Milo. Shihadeh was also a Godfather to Nyla and Nova, the children of his best friend Nick Cornelius.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 22, 2026, from 4:00-6:00 pm at McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation – James Island, 347 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412.

A Prayer Service will be held on Monday, February 23, 2026 at 10:30am at McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation – James Island. Burial will follow after the Prayer Service at Holy Cross Cemetery, 604 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation - James Island, 347 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412, 843-614-8494.