In loving memory of

Ramona Fay Vorner-Grant
June 29, 1958 - July 12, 2020

Ramona Fay Vorner Grant, was born to Ivy Lee Vorner and Vivian Inez Wooten Vorner on June 29, 1958 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Ramona was the second child born to this union. She had an older sister named Sherlian (who was known as "Pumpkin."). As a little girl, Ramona was affectionately called "Peaches" by her grandmother, and was known by this name by the rest of her family and friends.
Peaches was a "daddy's girl" whose life was dramatically altered at age twelve. She witnessed her father succumb to a heart attack during a church service at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
In 1972, Peaches mother Vivian relocated with her girls to San Diego, California. Peaches attended Morse High School. She was determined to finish school, and graduated a year early. She went on to attend San Diego City College and majored in liberal arts, with an emphasis in behavioral science and social work. Peaches also attended the San Diego Business College, specializing in a PBX Receptionist/Legal Receptionist Certificate Program.
Peaches met James Mitchell, and from this relationship she had her oldest daughter, JaVodki ONeshea Vorner-Harrison. In 1983, she was employed by the County of San Diego. She worked as a Senior Clerk, and was elevated to a Communicable Disease Investigator. After 35 years, she medically retired from her final position as Senior Communicable Disease Investigator in the AIDS Epidemiology Department.
Peaches married her first husband Andre Manning, and to this union was born a daughter named Vivian Wanika Manning Vorner Golston. Many years later, Peaches met a young man named Readus who had been watching and admiring her for months. One day he knocked on her door, and gallantly stated his intention to court her. Weeks later, they married, and a few months afterward, they purchased a new home. That's just how amazing God works! To this union, Marlishea L. Readus was born. Peaches shared thirteen beautiful years married to Readus, in this epic love story!
Peaches was encouraged, continued to push forward, and remained faithful to God. She loved her children and would sacrifice anything for her family. She worked two jobs at times just to provide. Sometime later, Peaches met and married her last husband, Keith Dewayne Grant. Her world changed when God gave her the desires of her heart. In 1996, Peaches welcomed the birth of her only son, Keithramon D. Grant.
Peaches was passionate about her job. While working in the Community Epidemiology-Morbidity Unit, under the late Chief Dr. Michelle Ginsberg, Peaches traveled twice a year to Sacramento, and was very instrumental in coordinating the first Statewide Morbidity Meeting in 1998, held in San Diego. She also coordinated the second Statewide Morbidity Meeting in Sacramento in June of 2002. Both meetings proved to be monumental successes! Peaches really loved her career and everyone she encountered through the course of her job. She went out of her way, no matter the day, holiday, or time, to provide a service to the community. Her moto was, "Your time is her time." What matters the most, is that San Diego learned all they needed to know about her field of interest, including the who, what, when, where, and how of reporting information!
In 2000, an already active and community minded Peaches felt like she needed to give back just a little more. She decided to volunteer for the Center of Community Solutions (CSS) as a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Advocate. Peaches was an on-call 24-hour emergency crisis SART advocate. When individuals were assaulted, Peaches was called to hospital bedsides as an Intervention Advocate to sit with survivors during exams, show support, and assist the client in any way possible. Peaches had a ministry of compassionate for others, and this was manifest through her personality, her skill set and her community service. This is what truly defined PEACHES!!!
In 2005, Peaches decided to go back to school. She attended the University of Phoenix receiving her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration. If you really "KNOW" Peaches, then you would know she had a "DRIVE" like no other! Peaches worked four years for Sharp Health Care as a Community Health Educator for the Think-First Injury Prevention Program, located at the Grossmont Hospital Rehab Department under director Dorothy Zirkle, RN, PHN, BSN, MS, PhD. Peaches had a passion for outreach and worked diligently with the community and faith-based leaders, conducting health fairs under a grant with Dr. Dorothy Zirkle. This meaningful work brought community awareness to the importance and need for children to wear helmets and seat belts, which was later implemented as a law nationwide.

Later, Peaches joined the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), where she was an Executive Board Chair - Life & Membership, and Executive Board Member. Peaches promoted the NAACP and wanted anyone that would listen, to join the organization. She was determined to make a change within the community.
Peaches was a very driven, and hard working woman. She was a care giver for her elderly mother, was a full time mother who worked part time at Red Lobster, and at the mortuary providing transport for the deceased in order to send her children through private school. She enjoyed the moments when she could hold her family together, participate in community activism, support her kids after school activities, attend church programs, and attend to her own part time educational pursuits. Peaches was a SUPER WOMAN!

On the morning of January 30, 2007, and after eight years of caring for her mother, Peaches walked into her mother's room and realized that she had received her ticket for the Morning Glory Train! Peaches loved her mother so very much and did not know what she was going to do after such a loss. Up until that time she worked tirelessly caring for her mother and children. In true Peaches form she began to search for different outlets to volunteer and provide community service. She continued to help programs within the church community. By 2010, she became an active volunteer with the San Diego Pop Warner Association team the South San Diego Jaguars, under organization President Richard Cooper. This was a great time of healing for Peaches! The South San Diego Jaguars functioned as an extended family during this time. Peaches was the treasurer, her son Ramon played football, and her daughter Marlishea was a cheerleader. This gave Peaches an opportunity to meet more people, but also gave her a chance to yell across the field, "Mr. Cooper!" She especially relished the bonds she formed with the Cooper Family, Munoz Family, and Marrs Family, just to name a few. Mrs. Sandra Cooper was the concessionaire and was also on the board. She always said that Peaches was her "Guardian Angel." Peaches left the South San Diego Jaguars after a few years but stayed with the San Diego Pop Warner Conference Board as the Treasurer, where she had many friends. She was a part of this community for several impactful years.
Peaches was an outgoing person and many people were drawn to her spirit and personality. She loved holding a conversation in person and talking on the phone, but everyone knew not to "play" with Ms. Peaches. She was the person you could go to for help if you had problems make a payment, because she understood hard times, being a single parent just trying to make it! She had compassion for people, but she also knew if you were trying to get over on her. She just didn't play and would tell you about yourself too! She did not sugar coat anything. One thing is sure, she would tell you the truth! That was Peaches!
In 2014, Peaches graduated from San Diego State University where she received her Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling with a Specialization in Psychiatric Rehabilitation. This opened up opportunities for Peaches to participate in graduate internship programs with Changing Options - Mental Rehab for Specialty Psychiatric Rehabilitation and The San Diego Brain Injury Foundation. This new field of expertise was a natural passion for Peaches, where she showed her God given gift of compassion for people.

In 2017, Peaches retired and relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada. Peaches volunteered as a counselor and case manager at a non-profit agency called Innovative Health & Wellness, where she worked for Mr. Carlos Pollard. She taught sex education and a THUG class for young men who were involved in the criminal justice system. Peaches was definitely the RIGHT person to teach those classes because there was no better person to "set the record straight" like Ms. Peaches! She was also set to teach a group called the Ladies of Quality for young women involved in the criminal justice system to learn how to become and act like a lady.
Peaches would often say that she has been in church since her mother's womb. Peaches grew up in the Baptist Church. Later the Lord led her to the Apostolic Doctrine, where she served at the Glorious Church under the late Pastor Grantonz. Peaches then relocated to Truth Apostolic Church under the late Pastor Anthony Williams, Sr. She also served as the Personal Assistant and CD Manager to the late Co-Pastor Betty Williams. Peaches sat under the leadership of Bishop Henry Page of Greater St. Paul C.O.G.I.C., 2nd Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Bishop George D. McKinney, of San Diego, California. After the passing of Bishop Henry Page, she joined 180 Degree Ministry under Pastor Thomas Melendez, who turned the ministry over to his son; Bishop Andrew Melendez.
Peaches was ordained in 2006 as a minster, and as an evangelist in 2010 under Bishop Andrew Melendez. Peaches worked in every area of the church for the glory of the Lord. This included everything from coordinating programs for various pastors, to ushering on the youth usher board, driving church vans, creating flyers, picking up dogs, fund raising, coordinating event programs, and anniversary services, as well as being called upon to function as mistress of ceremony for a number of programs.
Peaches was attending Powerhouse Church of C.O.G.I.C. in Las Vegas, Nevada, under Superintendent Willie Blanche & First Lady Evelyn Blanche. Peaches loved the members of Powerhouse. She also visited and fellowshipped with Trinity C.O.G.I.C, under the tutelage of Pastor Michael Williams & First Lady Williams. Peaches loved hearing stories of healing and deliverance. She would often share with everyone about how the members at Trinity were so kind and sweet!
Peaches loved the LORD, and everyone knew it. If you ever had the pleasure of calling her voicemail on her cell phone you would hear, "the worst is over, the best is yet to come. Remember you take charge of your life. You decree and declare victorious in your life. Only what you do for Christ will last." Peaches loved teaching the Word of God, praying, fasting, and being a servant for the Lord. Many did not understand her gifts, however Peaches was a remarkable, and humble servant. There was no program or idea that was too far-fetched, and for this and so many other wonderful reasons, there were not many like her in the vineyard! Peaches was willing to make it happen even when others lost hope. She was the person that was going take the program to deeper depths with a visual aid to give you a clear understanding of what God wanted you to see within the message. She was a true visionary at heart! It was this passion for God and God's people that led her to complete her chaplain class in May of 2020.
Peaches was sensitive to the leading of the Lord. She could spot and call out a devil in a heartbeat, and she had no problem laying hands on you, and praying for you, in any place, or at any time! If you needed to be encouraged, she would encourage you. Peaches lived a spirit filled life, and she did not play when it was time to pray. She was always ready to pray. Her favorite songs were, "God Specializes" and "I Won't Complain." She declared the glory of the Lord's salvation and being filled with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost daily. Peaches loved giving God the Glory no matter where she was!
On Sunday, July 12, 2020, Ramona Fay Vorner Grant - "Peaches," went home to be with the Lord. She is proceeded in death by her parents Ivy Lee and Vivian Inez Vorner; and nephew Arthur Lee Calbert, Jr. Left to cherish her memory are: daughters: JaVodki O. Vorner-Harrison (Edward), Vivian Wanika Manning Vorner-Golston (Leon), Marlishea L. Readus; her loving son: KeithRamon D. Grant, sister Sherlian Calbert; nephew Reshard Calbert, brothers-in-love: Melvin Draine, Jr. and Lee Cooper "Marshall;" grandchildren: JaMarki Vorner-Harrison, Jon'Edward Vorner-Harrison, Blythe Vorner-Harrison, Ja'Nika Vorner-Golston, Lea'Nika Vorner-Golston; special cousins: Uta Yearby "Meme," and Kathy Hoyer; special friends: Rosia Zephrein, Martha Martin, Susan Salgado, Martha Bartzen, Denise Reid, Dorothy Zirkle, Richard and Sandra Cooper; and a host of family, friends, nieces, nephews, loved ones, and church family, who will miss her dearly.

Tributes

Monica Olmos wrote on Aug 6, 2020:

"I\'m so sorry to hear about your mom(Ms. Peaches) I would always call her. Please know that she and all of your family will be in my prayers. You take care and know you are always in my heart Keithramon. Love Ms. Monica. "

Nancy McDaniel wrote on Aug 6, 2020:

"In loving memory of Ramona Fay Vorner-Grant, I was priveledge to know \"Peaches\", through the SDSU Rehabilitation Counseling Program. We both went through the program. She was ahead of me in her program. I was able to get to know her through shared classes. Peaches left an impression with me. She had passion for humanity, an advocate for those whose voice was silenced. She taught me about advocacy, courage, and speaking up... Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss"

Caren Sax wrote on Aug 6, 2020:

"As one of Peaches\' professors at SDSU, I still smile when I think of our interactions. She always had a big smile and a massive hug for all those who were lucky enough to be in her circle of grace and compassion. We saw her gain confidence during the time she was with us, and knew she had so much to offer to others in supporting them to follow their dreams. I\'m grateful for knowing her. Caren Sax"

Charles Degeneffe wrote on Aug 6, 2020:

"I was one of Peaches\' former instructors. She was a kind and generous person who I had the honor of knowing and working with. Peaches will be greatly missed. Chuck Degeneffe"

Teresa Haliburton wrote on Aug 3, 2020:

"My sincere condolences to your family. I remembered talking to Peaches and she always had encouraging words of wisdom. She was a strong woman and I felt blessed just knowing her. You will be truly missed. Rest in peace my beautiful friend. Teresa Haliburton "

Eileen Kent wrote on Aug 3, 2020:

"I went to Grad school with Peaches and she was an inspiration and an energy we all needed! May she rest in peace blessings, Eileen"

Susan Perkins wrote on Jul 30, 2020:

"What a LOVELY Angel Heaven Has Gained! Family, may the special memories of Peaches bring you comfort knowing that she is at Home with our Heavenly Father and she is at Peace! Susan Perkins (Cousin)"

Pastor B. M. Williams wrote on Jul 28, 2020:

"Peaches, thank you for being you. You were a strong and phenominal mother, daughter, sister, friend, and woman of God who never stopped being an encouragement to others. May God continue to comfort your family during these difficult times as you rest from your labor. Your brother, Pastor B. M. Williams"

Carla Smith wrote on Jul 28, 2020:

"My heart felt condolences to the family of my dear friend & co-worker. May God be an everlasting comfort. You all are in prayers. Peace & Love, Carla Smith"

Daphne (The Black Engineer) Sterling wrote on Jul 27, 2020:

"My condolences to your family. Your mom was a warrior she loved everyone we will truly miss her "