Aikens Funeral Home

The 2017 Aiken's Choice winners were recognized during a celebration at the Aiken Center for the Arts, where they received plaques and also enjoyed an evening of refreshments, food and fun, including music provided by Jason Sikes.The event was hosted by the Aiken Standard with the presenting sponsor Margaret's Garden Adult Daycare.This year marks the newspaper's largest readers' choice contest to date, said Aiken Standard Publisher and Advertising Director Rhonda Overbey, who helped to welcome and thank the businesses Thursday evening. "I am humbled to be surrounded by a great group of local business people who have been voted by Aiken Standard readers to be the best in Aiken – congratulations," Overbey said."Some of you devote your lives to serving Aiken County and deserve much more than a plaque, but please know that we join you in service and giving you the recognition you deserve. The categories are competitive, and this year more than 300,000 votes were cast resulting in our largest readers' choice contest to date. Aiken Standard readers say you're the best, and we are here to celebrate you tonight."Diane Daniell, sales and special projects manager at the Aiken Standard, also made clear who and what the evening was about. "We're here to celebrate you – all of our winners – so congratulations," she said.During the evening, Daniell also thanked sponsors Maragret's Garden Adult Daycare; Shellhouse Funeral Home; Shellhouse – Rivers Funeral Home; Johnson, Johnson, Whittle & Lancer Attorneys PA; Crescent Automotive; Tyler Tire & Auto Center; Aiken Collision; The Hills of Cumberland Village; Master Chevrolet Cadillac; Fox & Lady; and Kimball’s Plumbing, Electrical, Heating, Air & Refrigeration.Many business representatives noted how meaningful it was to be recognized by the community they serve.Dorean Price, co-owner of Margaret’s Garden Adult Daycare, the finalist for Adult Daycare behind winner Daybreak Adult Care Services, called the recognition humbling."It helps us to know that what we're striving for is wo... (Aiken Standard)

The viewing on Wednesday is from 5 – 8 p.m. at the Chapel of the Chimes Funeral Home at 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland.Funeral services will be held Thursday at McClymonds High beginning at 10 a.m. The school is located at 2607 Myrtle St., Oakland.Aikens, 18, was a three-sport athlete (football, basketball, baseball) at McClymonds who was first diagnosed with leukemia almost five years ago. It went into remission for a while but returned in 2015.On June 9, three weeks before his death, Aikens attended his graduation ceremony and was greeted with loud cheers when he rose out of his wheelchair and walked across the stage to accept his diploma.Aikens also was an inspiration to the Golden State Warriors.Last December, Aikens realized a dream by attending a Warriors practice session, and at the time, he told ABC7 News that the team’s superstars inspired him. The Warriors returned the sentiment.“Someone so strong and courageous, we can learn a lot from him. He’s probably doing more for us than we can do for him,” Warriors star Kevin Durant told ABC-7.Staff writer Kathleen Kirkwood contributed to this report. (East Bay Times)