Pebbles LaDime Doe Didn’t Shy Away From the Spotlight
She saw growing into herself as a process that made her stronger
This story is part of Know Their Names, a collection of articles illuminating and celebrating the lives of Black Trans women.
Pebbles LaDime Doe loved the spotlight. In photos shared by her friend Tionna Dunbar, Dime, as she was known by friends, stands in front of a mirror, wearing a hot-pink jumpsuit, gold hoop earrings, hair dyed a balayage of purple to pink. In another photo, Dime is sticking her tongue out at the camera, resting her head on her hand, shoulder to shoulder with her friend. This was Dime, smiling and surrounded by those she loved.
Simone Gadson grew up with Dime and says they spent most of their time together. Dime was “the most loving, happy, joyful, outgoing person you could ever meet,” Simone says. Dime named herself, a part of the process of growing into herself that made her, as Simone says, stronger as she got older.
With her joy also came a confidence that didn’t hinge on the opinions of others. That attitude was palpable. “She taught me not to care what people think and do what you want to do,” says Jaida Marie, a friend.
“She could make me laugh like nobody else. She was hilarious. That’s what I’m going to miss the most.”
Dime was in high school when she met Jaida. Though they didn’t get along at first, a friendship developed after they learned they shared friends and were the only two Trans women in their community, according to Jaida. Jaida says she gave Dime advice and hormones — two things she needed to feel like herself.
As the quiet one in the friendship, Jaida appreciated how Dime pulled her out of her shell with laughter. “She could make me laugh like nobody else,” Jaida recalls. “She was hilarious. That’s what I’m going to miss the most.”
Dime is also remembered as loyal and loving. She protected her friends. Jaida recalls one night when she and Dime were driving through the neighborhood and an object was thrown at her car. Dime made Jaida stop the car so Dime could get out and defend her friend against the culprits. Jaida says they didn’t have any other issues with them after that.
Dime also verbally affirmed her love for friends. Simone says Dime would affectionately shower her with “Bitch, I love you.”
Dime was living in Allendale, South Carolina, when she was found murdered in a car on August 4, three months shy of her 25th birthday. Additional details are unknown. Friends and family offered an outpouring of love on Facebook and gathered on Dime’s birthday, November 16, in remembrance of her.
Hours before Dime died, she made plans with Tionna to make dinner together. Dime planned on stopping by Tionna’s house, where she liked to cook and share her effervescent energy.
“It happened every day. She was never a sad person. You could barely catch her mad,” Tionna says. “She always kept it energetic.”
With her death, Tionna says, “It seems like she’s not gone. It seems like she’s still here.”
