Casianna Yvonne (Brown) Ray

Mrs. Casianna “Cassie” Yvonne Brown Ray, age 36, peacefully transitioned to eternal rest on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the Hock Family Pavilion in Durham, North Carolina, surrounded by her loving family.

Cassie was preceded in death by her grandparents: Willie Brown, Sr., Shirley Perry Brown, and Ruth Dennis Deas.

Cassie was born on August 22, 1989, in Columbia, Maryland, at Johns Hopkins Howard Medical Center (formerly Howard County General Hospital).

At the age of seven, Cassie accepted Christ as her Savior and was baptized at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Rockville, Maryland.

Cassie was a joyful child with a hunger for learning. At just two years old, eager to attend school with her older sister, she hid in the car to hitch a ride. Soon after, she began her educational journey at Norbeck Montessori Preschool. She later attended Cashell Elementary School, Redland Middle School, and Col. Zadok Magruder High School in Rockville, Maryland. In the fall of 2004, her family relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina, where she graduated from Leesville Road High School in 2007.

Cassie continued her education at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Laboratory Animal Science, along with a certificate in Biotechnology. While in college, she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, in the spring of 2009, serving as Historian. She also held leadership roles in several organizations, including Senator of the Student Government Association, Vice Chairperson of the Elections Committee, College Ambassador for Green For All, and Fundraising Chairperson for the Society for Human Resource Management, among others.

Cassie’s professional career in laboratory animal science began in medical research and spanned 13 years. Her work included infectious disease research at the National Institutes of Health, as well as project management roles at Duke University and Marken Health Sciences.

As she continued to grow, so did her creativity, curiosity, and drive. From an early age, Cassie expressed herself through art—her drawings, paintings, and sculptures were showcased throughout her schools. She also performed in school plays and sang in the choir, which later performed at the White House. Her passion for the arts evolved into successful entrepreneurial ventures in adulthood. While in college, she began selling cupcakes and cookies, eventually founding Casianna Confections (formerly Classy Cass Cakery), Revity—an organization focused on creating diverse social events—and Party Lab Rentals and Design.

Cassie’s love story with her husband, Rodney, began like a romantic comedy. They met while working in clinical research during the COVID-19 pandemic, and their first interaction sparked a lively debate that left them unsure of one another. However, through shared experiences—including comforting each other after the loss of a coworker—their connection deepened into a beautiful relationship.

They quickly became best friends, spending countless hours talking by phone and Zoom, including a memorable 16-hour virtual date in the spring of 2021. As they traveled, dined, and shared life’s adventures together, their bond grew stronger. By summer, their connection was undeniable. They were united in marriage during an intimate courthouse ceremony in 2024, surrounded by family. Their relationship, built on grace and friendship, was filled with a lifetime of love and cherished memories.

In 2026, Cassie was diagnosed with stage IV small bowel cancer. On March 20, 2026—the first day of spring—she was called home to be with the Lord. Throughout her life, Cassie touched countless hearts. She expressed her love not only through words but through thoughtful actions—hosting beautiful events, baking for others, and creating handcrafted décor, often putting others before herself. Her attention to detail, eye for beauty and fashion, and deep capacity for love are qualities that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her loving husband, Rodney Ray, Jr.; her parents, Willie Brown, Jr. and Jacqueline Deas-Brown; her sisters, Tabitha Brown (Jerome Jones) and Samara Domanski (Joseph); her nieces and nephews, Willie Brown, III, Trevor Stark, and Josephine Domanski; her mother-in-law, Delaina Ray; her grandparents, Whitt Deas, Sr., Lawrence Robinson, and Charles and Bertha McClora; her aunts and uncles, Rev. Whitt Deas, Jr. (Persephone), Naomi Deas Boyle (Andrew), Kennard Brown, Angela Bryant, and Vincent Deas (Jovana); her great-aunt and great-uncles, Mamie Stephens, Jerry Perry, and Rev. James Wilson; cousins, Edward Kirven (Melissa), Jessica Newsome Potts, Tiphane Deas, Whitney Knight (Kevin, Sr.), Stephane Deas (Stephen), Victoria Deas, Maya Brown, Sebastian Deas, Jordan Deas, Sydney Brown, Ava Brown, Whitt Deas, III, and Vincent Deas and a host of extended family members, and friends.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at St. Matthew Baptist Church, 5410 Louisburg Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27616. The funeral service will begin at 12:00 p.m., followed by a repast.

Online condolences may be shared at alanlawsonmortuary.com.

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