AYANNA D. ALEXANDER

Ayanna D. Alexander, 47, was born on Jan. 4, 1973, in San Francisco, California, to the late Annette Pitts Alexander and John Alexander. She departed her earthly life on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in her son's home in Sumter.

She began her education at Golden Gate Elementary School in San Francisco, until relocating to Sumter. Ayanna continued her education in Sumter School District 17. She studied culinary arts in Morganfield, Kentucky, while working in Job Corps.

Memories of Ayanna will be cherished by her son, Antonio Alexander of Sumter; daughter, Antoinette "La La" Drayton of Sumter; one granddaughter, Aaliya Lloyd; her father, John (Shirley) Alexander of Riverdale, Georgia; godmother, Lillie Pearson McGee of Sumter; two sisters, Kay "Michelle" Warren and Abena Alexander of Charlotte, North Carolina; three stepsisters, Shani (Martiez) Moore of Columbia, Danielle Rich of Franklin, Ohio, and Priscilla Logan of Charlotte; a special daughter, Essence Rush of Sumter; a godsister, La"Trealle Pearson Smith of Zionsville, Indiana; four aunts; four uncles; a host of nieces, nephews, family members, special friends, the Good Girls and Good Fellows.

In accordance with COVID-19 guidelines, the family is requesting face masks and social distancing be observed by relatives and friends during visitation at the home, 7 Carl Ave., Sumter.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter, with Bishop Marvin Hodge officiating, eulogist.

The procession will leave at 1:30 p.m. from the home.

Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter.

Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr.com. Visit us on the web at www.WilliamsFuneralHomeInc.com.