Keyona Charlissa Verdell, 22, was born July 29, 1993, to Charles McCray and Rosie Verdell in Lexington, North Carolina.

She was preceded in death by her father, Charlie McRae, Jr. and grandfather, Charlie McRae, Sr.

Keyona, affectionately known as "Yona,"was a graduate of Simons G. Atkins Advanced & Technology High School in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County School System where she was a member of the cheerleading squad.Seeking to further her education, Keyona began pursuing her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Management at Shaw University in Durham, North Carolina.At Shaw she joined the "Chi Chi" Cheerleading Squad, later becoming team captain.Spiritually, Keyona was a faithful member of Lexington Deliverance Tabernacle in Lexington, North Carolina.

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving mother, Rosie Verdell; stepfather, Damion F. Montford; brothers: Xavier Rivers of Durham, NC, Kamale McRae of North Dakota; sisters: Zykia Montford of Winston-Salem, NC, Heavenly McRae of Salisbury, NC; grandparents: Jasper (Inez) Verdell, Josephine McRae; step grandmother, Jennifer Greene; special friends: Daniel Lee, Twin Tiana Mitchell; godson, Trey Mitchell and a host ofother family, cousins, friends, Chi Chi Cheerleading Squad, Shaw University football team and the Lexington Deliverance Tabernacle Church Family.

The funeral service will be held at 3:00pm Saturday in the Anderson Center on the Campus of Winston Salem State University with family visitation one hour prior to the service.Keyona will be laid to rest in Evergreen Cemetery immediately following the service.Public viewing will be Friday from 2pm-8pm.