Community mourns loss of Vana

The community of Red Oak is mourning the loss of Vana Redd, 12, who died tragically in a pedestrian traffic accident Monday evening, Jan. 10.
Melissa Shirley, Vana’s aunt, described her as being free spirited and loving. Shirley said Vana and her siblings came to Red Oak to live with them in August. Their mother, Holly, had passed away in 2019.
“Coming to Red Oak was awesome for her,” Shirley said. “She likes small town life. That night she just wanted to go get a bag of chips and a soda. You just don’t think she won’t walk back through the front door.”
Shirley added Vana was doing very well in school and had made a lot of friends.
“She was truly happy here. The last six months had brought her so much joy; being here she was able to be a kid, a happy kid.”
Vana and her siblings, Gracie, Jack and Lemuel, reside with Melissa and James Shirley and their children. Holly was James’ younger sister. The Shirleys have lived in Red Oak since 2011.
“We are in awe over the support of the community. It is as though they are grieving with us,” Melissa said.
Gracie, 15, said Vana was extremely funny and liked to joke around.
“She was absolutely hilarious. She liked to joke around,” Gracie recalled.
Vana liked music, mainly that from Beyonce, Doja Cat, Cardi B and Nikki Minaj. She liked watching TikTok and scary stories on YouTube. She also liked reading, although she somewhat kept it under wraps, said Gracie.
“She liked Red Oak. She liked being able to walk all over town. She thought it was beautiful here. We had our arguments like siblings do, but she was my best friend,” Gracie said. “She loved art. She loved her friends at school, she talked about them all the time. She was goofy; if she didn’t know you, she could be shy, but otherwise she was goofy. She was like my mom, 100 percent. She was amazing.”
Vana had a sweet tooth, but also liked fruit and smoothies. When she grew up she wanted to be a SWAT team member or a scientist, Gracie shared.
“The support has been great. It is overwhelming.  Vana was a social, loving person and I feel like everybody is filling that void right now; like the community if trying to fill in that missing piece,” Gracie said. “There is so much to remember about her.”

 

The Red Oak Express

2012 Commerce Drive
P.O. Box 377
Red Oak, IA 51566
Phone: 712-623-2566 Fax: 712-623-2568

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