Bryana Mya Ballard was born at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City on April 14th, 1996, at 11:05 am to her loving parents, Ponita and Marvin Ballard. Bryana was a fighter from the day she was born. Did you know that she was born premature and was so small that she could fit inside the palm of your hand? She overcame the obstacles that come along with being premature but look at what she became, a strong, beautiful, and compassionate woman.

Bryana was a daughter, granddaughter, aunt, niece, goddaughter, fiancé, godmother, friend, and co-worker. She was also a child of God. She served the Lord as a member on the usher board and choir at the Gospel Missionary Baptist Church. Bryana always greeted you with her beautiful smile and infectious laugh.

Bryana spent her childhood growing up between New York City, Connecticut, and Charlotte, N.C. She was an excellent child. An angel like no other. She was the youngest of her siblings, Marvin Jr. and Domonique. She also grew up with her cousins, Shannaya, Jovan, and Eddie. She was a loving niece to Felicia and Stanley and the amazing granddaughter of Ms. Pauline Hampton and the late Maggie Dorothy Ballard.

Bryana was shy growing up, but she blossomed into a self-assured and confident young woman. She had so much life and promise ahead of her, and we can only imagine what great things she was destined to achieve. Bryana was a fashionista. She made sure that her outfits were coordinated. Her hair and makeup were ALWAYS flawless. Her hobbies included spending time with family, friends, and co-workers, fashion, travel, and dining out.

Bryana completed her education in North Carolina. She graduated from Garinger High School in 2015 and obtained her bachelor's degree in social work from Elizabeth City State University in 2019. Did you know that Bryana was a drummer in her high school and college bands? She was an amazing drummer. Bryana had a loving relationship with her fiancé Demetri. They met in high school and had been inseparable ever since. They did everything together.

Bryana worked for a company called Westhab Inc. She was a social worker where she helped at-risk families to obtain much-needed services to improve their quality of life. Bryana was an excellent employee. Whenever she could, she shared her knowledge and helped to train many of her co-workers.

Bryana developed lasting relationships with people she considered family in college, which included but was not limited to Danielle, Daniel, Saundra, Tatty, Saloma, Janazia, Shanta, and Scoggy. The Gang-gang crew consisted of Bryana, Destiny, Sherine, Shaina, and Nikki and the Gang crew at 95 Broadway.

Bryana was one of the most humbling people that you could ever meet. Space does not permit us to count all of the lives/people that Bryana has touched in her warm and special way. However, we ask that you remember Bryana for the special, loving, and compassionate person that she was. She left us too suddenly and too soon. The family is asking everyone to hold on to the memories that each of you have of her that will last forever in your hearts.

On April 10th, 2023, Bryana was called home at 5:20 am. She leaves to mourn: her parents, Ponita and Marvin Ballard, grandmothers, Ms. Pauline Hampton and the late Maggie Dorothy Ballard, brother Marvin Ballard Jr. (Amy Ballard), sister Domonique Ballard, nieces and nephews: Jaelah Ballard, Daevion Ballard, Amayah Ballard, Devin Scott, Brookelynn Scott, Kenya-Arie Douglas and Matthew Douglas, Jr., Aunt Felicia Hampton, Uncle Stanley Brown (Nakisha Lynch), cousins: Shannaya Hampton, Jovan Nwakile, Alex Lynch, Samir Brown, Sanaa Brown and Eddie Yates, special cousin Christal Kerby, fiancé Demetri M. Johnson, godparents, Dawn Speed, Deacon Glenny Dingle, Deaconess Joyce Dingle, Sean Coates, George Turner, the late Lita Gilkes, the late Reverend Amilia Acey and the late Mrs. Theresa Coates, god siblings Eddie Phillips, Jr., Taniesha McCartha, Christopher McCartha, Kiana Turner, Jamale Dingle and Jamel Dingle, godchildren, Daniel Armani Jackson Jr. and Aubrey, the Ballards, the Cohens and a host of other special relatives, loved ones and friends all over the United States.