Latanya Gilliard-2-22-2025

It was a crisp winter day in Long Branch, NJ (Monmouth County), on February 15, 1983, to be exact, Susan Gilliard welcomed a beautiful chocolate bouncing baby girl who made her grand entrance into the world. After much thought and consideration, she made the executive decision to name their unique bundle of joy, Latanya Nicole Gilliard.

Throughout her early years, Tanya was a good student who understood the importance of an education. Even though she was serious when it was needed, she loved joking around with everyone, and did not cause any trouble. She was a founding member of the "Sista's in Check Drill Team from 1994-2000, at that time the Directors were Jason Rogers, Jenise JP Mackason and Lucky Wiggins, Joyce Platts (deceased) the mother of the group. After four years of studying diligently, Tanya graduated from the Long Branch High School class of 2002. She furthered her education to become a medical assistant at Star Tech Academy in 2007. She landed a job under the direction of Dr. David Hyppolite at Providential Medical Center working both the front and back end of the office from 2007-2019.

Now in the spare time on any given day, you could find Tanya doing one of the things she cherished most, which was spending quality time with family, friends and loved ones. Tanya was an amazing mother and grandmother, affectionately known as "Nonnie," who loved her babies and adored her grandchildren. She always wanted to have fun, she was always smiling and had such a vibrant infectious personality that would leave a positive lasting impression with each person she encountered. Tanya was the go-to for many individuals, easy to talk to, and a strong shoulder to lean on for both family and friends. Family oriented, very loving, ambitious, outgoing, dedicated, hardworking, and very humble were all qualities that describe the essence of her nature. Let’s not forget Tanya's Kitchen Creations, specifically the (MAKE YOU SLAP YA MAMA) macaroni & cheese, rum cake, and infamous rum punch. Tanya absolutely loved to dance and have a good time. There was never a dull moment when Tanya was in our presence.

On February 10th, 2025, Latanya Nicole Gilliard crossed the finish line of this life and transitioned from earthly labor to her heavenly reward. She was greeted at heaven’s gates with open arms by her loving mother Susan Gilliard, grandparents Lila (Claude) Gilliard, uncles Claude, Sylvester, Ronald, Michael Gilliard, and her cousin Robbie Jackson.

Those left to cherish precious memories and bid farewell are her four beautiful children Janiyah Gilliard, Traevon Bundy, Isaiah Rosario and Justin Rosario; grandchildren Zhuri and Audrey Speller; aunts and uncles Dottie Jackson, Cathy, Kevin, Mitch, Bobby, Donald Gilliard; loving cousins Keyona, Nakeya, Donte, Melquan, Little Kevin, Maurice, Nahjala, Chris, Sierra, Latasha, Crystal, Michelle, Jarrett, Montay, Myquel, Michael, Mikkhi, Conrad, Monte; special honor for lifelong friends Latoya Daniels, Tiarra Carter and Tekesha Craft and a host of loving family and friends who will miss her dearly.