Raniyah A'Shanti Gandy

April 21, 2003 - June 1, 2022

Hey Family & Friends……. When I was born just 19 years ago on April 21st, 2003, to my mommy Chanta Parson and daddy Rico Gandy Sr, I was given the name Raniyah A’Shanti Gandy. As a baby my family gave me the nickname NeeNee. If you are reading this, I’m now gone to heaven. It’s beautiful here- and so peaceful. Growing up I was always on the go- playing with family & friends, having the best birthday parties and traveling. My mommy and Angela always had a fun trip planned. I was my mommy’s only child, but I always had my (auntie) Jayla who wasn’t much older than me. Jayla and I were inseparable and were partners in crime. I attended school at Mills Child Development, Windy Ridge, Memorial Middle, and graduated from my great grandmother Ruth Settles Alma Mater Jones High School – class of 2021. Throughout those years I formed many friendships. Asjah and Iana are my best friends turned sisters. I had a passion for cooking, fashion and hair. My mommy inspired me on the cooking. I taught myself how to box braid and was doing my thing with lace installs. I was in the process of launching my very own business Pretty In A’Shanti Hair; selling the Best Luxury Raw Hair. Thank you to my Uncle Michael, for helping me all those late nights with my website set up. I had a strong village behind me at all times, but let me just talk about my Grandpa Herman for a moment. From a baby to a young adult, my grandpa has always been there. He taught me so much and allowed me to be me. We would have lunch dates, endless FaceTime calls and compete with each other nightly, playing pool on our cell phones. My grandpa was my world. I love him so much and I know he loved his baby girl too. Thank you grandpa for holding onto the blueprints for my business. Please see that my vision is introduced to the world. My beautiful momma Chanta, who has always been by my side. I couldn’t have asked for a better mother. She taught me so much. She is strong, a go getter and was constantly preparing me for womanhood. She wanted me to be the very best I could be and even though it didn’t always seem like it, momma I was listening. All the “speeches” you gave me, I know was out of love. I love you and thank you so much for everything. Uncle Herman Jr. (BooBoo) - Keep your head up. Thank you for always having my back and letting me practice my barber skills on you. I love you. Momma (Karen), who are you going to argue with now? (Smile) I love you and knew you always loved me. Please forever cherish all the good times. Grandma Bernice - even though your illness didn’t allow you to get out with me much. I loved the talks we had and the all love you gave me. My Daddy Rico - we were just alike. Thank you for being there when I needed you. Please take care of my siblings, nephews and niece. I love you. Grandma Brenda - Thank you for all the times we shared. Make sure you hold on to all our photos and videos of us dancing. I love you. My Pops Greg - I love you. Keep your head up and forever cherish the memories of you and I. Thank you for all you’ve done for me. My brothers and sisters - ya’ll make sure to keep that bond tight. Lil Rico- I love you and I know you loved me. Ranaja- I love you girl and keep up our Josie’s tradition. My Uncle Jarvis - I know I was your big baby. Love you. Cherish all those times we were hanging good. TJ - You’ve always cared for me like I was your own. You never told me no. I love you. Pete - I was so happy when we had our last conversation, on the Monday before I entered Paradise. We got to share so many things. You were there for me for many years and treated me like your very own and I truly appreciate that. Paris loves you. To all my family members and caring friends, much love to you all. Just because I didn’t mention you by name doesn’t mean you did not have a place in my heart. Remember to always be kind to yourself. That your current situation isn’t your forever situation and that there are different ways to get the same outcome. I must wrap this up now.. my clients are waiting. See you later, God Bless. Precious memories of me will be cherished by my loving Mom, Chanta Parson and Dad, Rico Gandy, Sr., both of Orlando, FL; Brothers: Rico Gandy, Jr. and Quadarious Bullard, both of Orlando, FL; Sisters: Jamesha Mack, Ranaja, Heaven and Zaila Gandy all of Orlando, FL; Grandparents: Gregory Settles, Karen Parson, and Brenda Philpot, all of Orlando, FL; Great Grandparents: Herman and Bernice Parson, Walter Settles and Ruth Settles, all of Orlando, FL; Great-great Grandmother, Rosa Parson of Bushnell, FL; Aunts: LaKeysha Settles, Jada Settles and Jayla Whittaker, all of Orlando, FL; Grand Aunt, Kimberly Settles-Brown (Kelvin) of Orlando, FL; Uncles: Michael Parson, Gary Gandy, Dominic Sanders, and Jarvis Settles, all of Orlando, FL, and Jonah Sanders of Savannah, GA; Grand Uncles: Herman Parson, Jr., Gary Thomas-Settles, Rodney Settles, and John Gandy, all of Orlando, FL, and Don Gandy of Clarksville, GA; God-brother, Grayson Grant of Altamonte Springs, FL; and a village of Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and caring friends.