Raneil Jordan Reid's Obituary
Some souls do not merely pass through life — they illuminate it. They arrive with purpose etched into their very being, sent not to follow paths, but to blaze them. Raneil Reid was one such soul — radiant, rare, and deeply rooted in love. His nineteen years among us were not measured in time, but in transformation — of hearts, and of every atmosphere he entered.
From the moment Raneil entered this world on August 24, 2006, Raneil carried with him an unmistakable aura …the kind that whispered of higher purpose and divine assignment. To his parents, Oneil Reid and Claudette English, he was more than a firstborn son; he was a gift wrapped in light, the beginning of a legacy destined to touch many.
With eyes that held power and wisdom — “two of the most beautiful eyes God ever created” -Raneil saw not just people, but their souls. He was born with an ancient knowing, a quiet yet undeniable wisdom that revealed itself in everything he did.
Raneil had The Heart of a King, the Spirit of a Servant- Known affectionately as “Papa” and “Man of the House,” Raneil wore responsibility like a crown — not as weight, but as a sacred honor. He carried his role in the family as a sacred trust — protector, encourager, provider. He didn’t see responsibility as burden, but as an opportunity to love deeper, to serve more faithfully, and to lead by example.
Even in adolescence, he embodied strength without ego, leadership without domination, and love without condition.
While others his age searched for direction, Raneil forged his own path — working at Publix-Supermarket at fifteen, driven not by obligation, but by purpose. His mantra, “Things won’t get done by themselves,” wasn’t just motivation — it was a calling. He understood that creation waits on those brave enough to act, to serve, and to lead.
To be in Raneil’s presence was to remember what joy feels like. His laughter didn’t just fill rooms — it healed them. His hugs weren’t just affectionate — they were beautiful transmissions of love. His curiosity wasn't mere interest — it was genuine soul-level connection.
Whether it was through fitness, gaming, dancing, music, or heartfelt conversation, Raneil celebrated life with his whole being. He understood something many never learn: that joy isn’t trivial — it’s sacred. His laughter wasn’t just contagious; it was medicine for the soul.
Graduating from McClure Health Science High School was just one milestone in a larger vision. Raneil dreamt of engineering, entrepreneurship, marriage, fatherhood — dreams not rooted in ambition alone, but in deep service to others. He understood that our gifts are never just for us — they’re meant to connect, build, and elevate those around us.
In answering the call to join the U.S. Navy, Raneil wasn’t just enlisting in an institution — he was aligning with his soul’s path. With a 95% average in Aviation Electronics and the admiration of his instructors and peers, he stood tall — not only as one of the finest sailors, but as one of the finest human beings ever to walk among us.
Raneil’s moral compass was unshakeable, not because it was taught to him, but because it was encoded in him. He lived by a truth that few understand...that integrity is how the soul speaks, and that happiness born of authenticity is the highest form of success.
He believed deeply that “there’s always another way.” In every obstacle, he saw opportunity. In every breakdown, a breakthrough.
Raneil didn’t just walk into a room — he transformed it. His presence was catalytic. He was the laughter at a silent table, the light in a dim hallway, the breath of hope in a weary world. Even his simple phrase, “Mi no know,” spoken with humor and humility, reflected a profound wisdom: that in surrendering the need to know it all, we open ourselves to divine guidance.
Raneil’s earthly mission may have concluded, but his work continues — now from a higher plane. In realms beyond our seeing, his light expands, his love deepens, and his spirit continues its sacred service. He is not lost to us. He is within us …living in every act of courage, every choice to love, every moment we dare to believe in more.
His legacy is not carved in stone, but in the hearts of all who knew him. In conversations that elevated, in embraces that healed, in dreams that still echo with his voice — he lives on.
He is survived by his eternally loving mother, Claudette English; father, Oneil Reid; sister, Aretha Reid; stepfather, Ricky English; siblings; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends who will forever hold his memory and love.
Nineteen years.... It seems so little, yet Raneil showed us that time is not the measure of a life — impact is. And Raneil's impact is immeasurable and transcends time.
He taught us that faith is not passive — it is action. That love is not an idea — it is a force. And that purpose is not found — it is lived.
A funeral service honoring Raneil's life will be held Friday, September 19, 11:00 AM at Davis-Struempf Chapel with Bishop Lerone Bennett officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 before the service.
Interment will occur at Georgia National Cemetery at 2:00 PM on September 19. Anyone attending the committal service is encouraged to arrive 15 minutes prior to the service time.
For anyone wishing to view the service virtually, a livestream link will be available on Raneil's Tribute Page at https://www.davisstruempf.com at the above-listed service time.
What’s your fondest memory of Raneil?
What’s a lesson you learned from Raneil?
Share a story where Raneil's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Raneil you’ll never forget.
How did Raneil make you smile?
