Aaliyah Paris Gradnigo, age 18, of Orange, Texas passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2021. Aaliyah was born September 3, 2002 to her parents, Amanda Smith Gradnigo (John Gradnigo Jr) and Joseph Edwards.
Aaliyah accepted Christ at the age of 5 years old and was baptized at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Vinton, LA. She later attended Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Orange, TX under the leadership of Rev. Ronnie A.E. Crockett where she served as a member of the drill team.
Aaliyah attended West Orange Stark High School and was a member of the volleyball and basketball teams. She later enrolled and graduated from Parkview Baptist in May of 2020. Aaliyah was currently enrolled at Lamar State College pursuing an education as a Dental Assistant. Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her loved ones.
Those left to cherish her memory are her parents; great-grandmother Melva Guidry; grandparents, Jerry & Janie Fontenot, John Sr. & Phyllis Gradnigo, and Emma Broussard; her aunts, Jennifer Smith and Kimberly Smith; uncles, Claudale Broussard & Michael Smith; her siblings, Kane Cormier, Alana Boullard, Aamiyah Gradnigo, John Gradnigo III, and Jolie Edwards. She also leaves behind a host of devoted family members and friends.
Aaliyah was preceded in death by her special friend, Thalamus Livings (T.J.), he was the love of her life.
A Homegoing Celebration for Aaliyah was held Saturday, February 6, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 612 3rd. St., Orange, TX 77630.
Aaliyah was laid to rest in Hilcrest Memorial Gardens, 4560 State Hwy 87, Orange, TX 77630.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hixsonsulphurmemorial.com for the Gradnigo family.