Obituary of Ra'Nae M. Grinnell

Ra’Nae Maurise Grinnell was born on June 1, 1999 to April Love Gordon and Reginald Maurice Grinnell Sr. in Wilmington, Delaware. She gained her wings on October 5, 2020. Ra’Nae affectionally known as “Nae” was a vibrant, intelligent, loving individual full of life and laughter. She received her early education in the Colonial School District and achieved her high school diploma with high honors from Glasgow High School in June of 2018. While in high school she served as captain of the cheerleading team and was an active member of the “I Have Purpose” ladies group. She earned various certificates throughout her school years including the Sportsmanship Award her senior year. While in high school, she spent her summers in the Upward Bound Program where she had the opportunity to visit NASA in Houston, Texas. After graduation, Nae enrolled at Delaware State University where she was currently studying Early Childhood Education with the aspiration to become an elementary school teacher. Nae was very driven and she was not going to let anything get in her way of achieving her goals. Nae absolutely loved her family and was definitely a Daddy’s girl. She was the glue that ensured the family spent time together, whether it was a movie night or bake off competitions at the house. She was an avid shopper and loved fashion and makeup. She also enjoyed spending time with her friends and was guaranteed to be the “turn-up” queen. Nae had a special way with kids. Any child that came across Nae instantly connected with her as she was always a child at heart. Nae is preceded in death by her grandfathers Reginald M. Thomas and Willie N. Gordon; her uncle Bernell Gordon; her god sister Janiya D. Battle and her cousin Antonio E. Cropper. Nae leaves to cherish her memory: her mother, April L. Gordon, her father and bonus mom Reginald and Melitza Grinnell; her grandmothers, Alberta Gordon and Darlene V. Thomas; her siblings, Tre’Vaun C. Johnson, Ra’Gine M. Grinnell, Reginald M. Grinnell Jr., Jamika M. Wright, Lorenzo M. Grinnell, Tyana L. Moore and Tyaire N. Fassett; her nephew, Tre’Vaun “TJ” Johnson Jr.; her god mother and sister Gennifer and Averi Bivens; her bonus family; Mr. and Mrs Castor and Carmen, Luis (Kaki) and Isael Ramos and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins and close friends.