Who Is Randie Ann Smith

Randie Ann Smith, my daughter, was born April 20, 1994. She was my third child, my first and only girl. I had two sons before her and one after, and I was absolutely overjoyed to have my girl.

I enjoyed doing her hair, making her pretty. She was a beautiful chocolate drop, as my sister called her, with bright eyes and soft, curly hair. A joyful, happy baby who grew into a happy child—kind, loving, and easy to be around.

She was very affectionate. She loved to kiss—mwah, mwah, mwah—right on your cheeks. If she loved you, you felt it. We’ve got plenty of pictures and videos of her hugging on somebody, loving on somebody. That’s just who she was. Full of love, and it was genuine.

Randie had a presence about her. Her energy, her smile, the way she carried herself—you felt it when she walked into a room.

She was a fast learner. I’m an avid reader, and I would go over books and things I was learning with my children. Randie would pick it up quickly. She understood things in her own way and could explain them in a way that made sense.

She loved her dog, Zenna. She rescued her and took excellent care of her. She was an excellent daughter, granddaughter, sister, auntie, and friend. The kind of person who shows up. Not just “I’ll pray for you,” but actually there for you. And she was there for people in real ways.

She went through her share of trials and triblulations, like we all do, but she kept going. She was determined. Like when she decided to lose weight, she did it the natural way. She worked out, ate right, stayed consistent. She was always growing, learning, and evolving.

She was becoming the best version of herself.

Randie was bubbly, warm, resilient, and full of life. A true light and absolute delight.

We miss her. April 20 will always be #RandieDay, a day we celebrate and remember her life: 27 years here with us on this earth.

Her life was taken due to gun violence by three young men who decided to rob and murder my child.

Randie Ann will forever be loved, missed, and remembered.