IYANNA SHIBRIA DANIELS

THE LIFE STORY/CELEBRATION OF LIFE

With heavy hearts though full of love, we are here to send off and celebrate the beautiful and pure life and soul of Iyanna Shibria Melody Daniels who peacefully departed from this world on August 31st, 2026 at age 23 after a fierce brave fight with cancer.

Born on January 15, 2003 in Philadelphia PA to parents Raisheema Daniels and Gregory ”BooGreg” Gay. Iyanna was as her mother would describe a “wild child”, the one who always gave everyone a run for their money, figuratively and literally, keeping us on our toes up until her very last days. Her sisters would describe her as goofy, energetic, purehearted, exuberant, and beautiful. She was a loving and loyal daughter, sister, granddaughter, cousin, aunt, and friend and anyone who met her never forgot the light, love, and laughs she brought to a room.

She attended and graduated from Henry H Houston Middle School and Roxborough Highschool where she then went on to do 2 years at Hampton University. After leaving, she went on to achieve her Pharmacy technician certification and work a variety of jobs where she found a love for being in the kitchen. She worked as line cook being able to even run her own kitchen and was a self taught baker where she thrived running her out of home bakery “Yannies Sweet Treats”(YST) with her signature strawberry crunch cake and cupcakes and more loved by all.

Iyanna found joy in so many things, and had a way of bringing her own personality into everything she loved. She loved music. Whether she was happy, sad, or needed a moment to herself, music was always there for her. It filled her soul, helped calm her, and often gave words to feelings she couldn’t express herself. Some of her favorite artists included Rod Wave, GIVEON, King Von, Marvin Sapp, Maria The Scientist, Clinton Cane, and Olivia Rodrigo. She also loved musicals, with Hamilton and EPIC: The Musical being among her favorites.

Iyanna was an incredibly creative soul. She loved to read, getting lost in the worlds inside her favorite books. She loved to paint, hanging paintings around her room or gifting them to her loved ones. She also loved writing, especially poetry, writing on her own and creating poems with her younger sister. Deep down, she dreamed of one day finding the courage to stand on a stage and share her words with others.

Iyanna carried a youthful sense of joy with her wherever she went. She never felt the need to outgrow the things that made her happy. She had a special love for Disney, with Frozen and Encanto being two of her all-time favorite movies. She knew the songs by heart and could sing them from beginning to end. She also loved movies of all kinds, especially action movies and cheesy romances.

She loved expressing herself through her appearance as well. Iyanna enjoyed dressing up and going out, especially when she was surrounded by her cousins, close friends, or sisters. Doing her hair, she loved wearing the fun hair from her collection, “which she was so proud of”, but she was just as beautiful wearing her natural hair which her family affectionately called her “lion’s mane.”

Iyanna could find fun in even the simplest things. She loved swimming and could spend hours in a pool, even after everyone else had gotten out. She also loved gaming, especially Roblox and her Nintendo Switch. Whether she was playing alone or convincing someone to play with her, she always made it an experience. Anyone who played with Iyanna knew they would probably hear plenty of yelling and witness her over the top reactions, which was part of why playing with and being around her was so much fun.

Through all of these things, Iyanna’s personality shone through. She was creative, expressive, playful, and full of little quirks that made her uniquely herself. The things she loved weren't just hobbies, they were pieces of the person her family and friends will always remember and carry with them.

Iyanna had so many dreams for her future. She dreamed of becoming a nurse or a doctor and building a life that she could be proud of. She dreamed of becoming a wife and having children of her own, most likely a son, because she always joked that she “couldn’t handle a daughter like herself”. But, of course, she said she would love her daughter anyway.

She dreamed of traveling and seeing more of the world, getting her license, and eventually moving out and having a place of her own. More than anything, Iyanna dreamed of being truly happy, to experience the kind of happiness and peace she deserved.

Although Iyanna is no longer here to live out those dreams herself, they do not have to end with her. The dreams she carried, the love she gave, and the happiness she hoped for can continue through the people she left behind. Now, those dreams are passed on to her family, friends, and loved ones to be carried forward, lived out, and remembered in her honor.

Iyanna was preceded in death by her father, Gregory ”BooGreg” Gay, and close friend Aaliyah Holmes.

Iyanna leaves behind her loving mother Raisheema Daniels. Her loving bonus fathers Ronald Johnson and Jonathan Heard. Her loving older sister Tijay and older brother Nymir. Her loving younger sister Zahiya and younger brothers Zahmeir and Saahir. Her loving Godbrother Eric. Her loving grandmothers Melody and Linda. Her loving niece Ny’lah. Her loving cousins Peanut, Papi, Rayanna, Nish, and more. Her friends and confidants Naseem, Autumn, Roman, Rohanna, Ms. Thompson, and Ms. Tedesco. And so many more cousins, aunts, family, friends, and people who loved and knew her.

As we mourn Iyanna passing, grieve but let yourself be happy, live in who she was and the impression she left on you. On the kind and beautiful person she was in life, and not the life she didn't get to live. Think about her smile and kind eyes and big heart. Iyanna will always be with every single one of us, and never forget that as you continue to move forward and carry her with you, watching over you.