April 9, 2026, 2 mos, Goldsboro – Our sweet girl, Ella Anne-Rae Reid, was born at 37 weeks on Thursday, January 29th, 2026, at 8:56 a.m. located at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Our daughter rejoined the Lord on Thursday, April 9th, 2026, at 2:30 p.m.
She lived earthside for 70 days in the NICU while fighting many battles. She was born with Trisomy 18, and all while supposed to be incompatible with life, she lived further than what any of the doctors expected her to. She was fierce and fought the most she could until she rejoined Him. As the Lord speaks in Mark 10: 14-16:”Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.” The complications she faced just showed not only how strong she was, but her parents’ believing and advocating for her through interventions gave more faith and hope in the belief that one day she’d come home as healthy and beautiful as how they saw her as.
As in Psalm 139: 13-14: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my Mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Our sweet girl had many milestones, like opening her eyes and breathing on her own at 21% while on a ventilator; successfully withstanding a drain procedure for her bowel perforation 1 week after birth; her Mother holding her for the first time after her arterial line was taken out on Grandpa’s birthday February 8th; her esophageal atresia and fistula surgery with a ET tube placed for feeds on March 5th, and post operation of recovery ran smoothly 1 week later; and just watching her light after that during her last 4 weeks of life are all moments that we are blessed about.
Ella was and is the definition of a true angel warrior sent from God. She surprised and shocked so many of the providers, nurses, and care team. She taught her Mother what strong love is among what having grace and patience is in this world we live in. Her family is honored and grateful by the experience and her existence of life that they were given by God, and as a family, we will cherish and love her forever endlessly. In Matthew 5:4 he says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Ella Anne-Rae is survived by as follows: both of her parents- Savannah Clay & Donovan Reid, her two brothers-Jahmir (10) & Oliver (1) Reid, her sister Miracle Reid (3), her grandmother Heather Reid & spouse Javier Davis (OldmanJavi), her grandfather Alan Reid & wife Trudy Reid, her grandparents Brian & Lisa Clay, her great-grandparents Galen Clay & Myrtle Mckinney, her total of 6 uncles & 5 aunts, and great-uncles and great-aunts on both family sides among many cousins ranging all ages. She is preceded in death by an unknown gender sibling by miscarriage (January 11th, 2022), her great-grandmother Debbie Pate, her great-great grandmother Violet Clay, her great-grandparents Albert & Margaret Cunningham, among many great-uncles & great-aunts as well.
Her cremation is Monday, April 13th, 2026 after her family has private viewing at 1 p.m. Her services will be provided at the Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home in Goldsboro on Friday, April 17th, 2026, at 3 o’clock till 4 p.m. During her services, Rochelle & Mike Hamilton will minister some thoughts and prayers for both families. Blue ribbons will be made in honor of Trisomy awareness.
For any family members to attend her Celebration of Life, or anyone to donate flowers and candles, please contact the funeral home at 19197345441 or Mother Savannah directly before Friday.
If anyone would like to support from home, wear pink or bright colors on Friday, and send us your “see you later” pictures. All things like memories will be collected in her scrapbook. Her parents just want to bring her home where she belongs with all her things.
Our little warrior girl was one of a kind. Her family loves and misses her so much already. We love you sweet girl Ella, until we see you again, love Mommy & Daddy, Jahmir, Mimi, & Ollie.
