Taylor Moore
LV Life Editor
Abelina J. Nuñez
Arts Editor
Jashelle Ranson, junior photography major, died unexpectedly Jan. 3. The news was released to the University of La Verne students and staff via email on Jan. 13 from Zandra Wagoner, interfaith chaplain.
Ranson was born on Nov. 17, 2002, to James and Quida Ranson and was the second of five children.
Ranson’s family, friends and co-workers all gathered for a Celebration of Life on Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. in the Ludwick Center Sacred Space to share memories of Ranson and bring items that remind them of her like a jar of pickles, her favorite chips, Reese’s and flowers.
“We’re at this place, we are here to remember, honor and celebrate the life of Jashelle Ranson,” Wagoner said. “I want to acknowledge the heavy hearts that are in this room, as well as the beauty of so many gathered to honor Jashelle’s life.”
Devorah Lieberman, University President, said that Ranson had a huge impact on campus due to how involved she was. Ranson was involved in cheer, was a residential adviser for a residence hall, worked at Bon Appetit, and was part of the ULV Campus Times photography staff.
“She was everywhere, physically and spiritually on this campus,” Lieberman said. “Our best way to honor Jashelle is to have her live through us in your deeds and the way you treat others as she treated each one of us.”
Mia Hernandez, a sophomore education major and Ranson’s best friend, said that Ranson was a very positive person who lived every moment to the fullest. She said Ranson was the definition of happiness, and could light up a room with her presence. Hernandez and Ranson were inseparable and were planning to move in together once they graduated.
Hernandez said she will always remember Ranson for her love of pop singers Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter, the color pink, her obsession with Chester’s Flamin’ Hot Fries, but mostly for who she was. Ranson was the funniest person she knew and never failed to put a smile on Hernandez’ face.
“Losing Jashelle has by far been one of the hardest things I’ve had to go through and it’s left me completely heartbroken,” Hernandez said. “To have lost her is like losing a limb, I feel like I’ve lost a piece of my soul.”
Hernandez remembered Ranson as her rock, the person she could relate to most. Hernandez said that to be in Ranson’s presence, you always felt safe, loved, and accepted.
“You were taken from us too soon. I will always remember our fun night outs together, our date nights, our inside jokes, and literally every moment we shared,” Hernandez said. “I loved Jashelle like no other, and she was the best friend anyone could ask for. Not a second goes by when I don’t think of her.”
Kendall Stanley, a senior kinesiology major and another best friend of Ranson’s, said the two clicked instantly when they met last year. While the two were total opposites, Stanley said that whenever they hung out their differences disappeared and that the conversations were always great. Stanley called Ranson her number one supporter.
“Jashelle went above and beyond for her friends, through the good days and bad,” Stanley said. “Jashelle was a person with a big heart. Jashelle, you will be forever in our hearts.”
Brannon Andrews, community coordinator at Cal State Fullerton and Ranson’s supervisor, said they met when Andrews was a grad assistant and Ranson was an R.A. Andrews said that Ranson felt like a little sister and remembered her for her beautiful personality and bouncy presence. The two would meet in the office where Andrews offered a listening ear and reassurance whenever Ranson needed it.
One thing that Hernandez, Stanley and Andrews all shared was that, for them, it was not a goodbye to Ranson, it was more of a “see you later.”
“We love her and we will continue to love her, honor her, cherish her,” Andrews said.
Ranson’s photography can be seen on the Campus Times website and on her photography Instagram account @photosbyjashelle.
Ranson is survived by her father James, her mother Quida, her brother James Jr., and her sisters, Jada, Jaliah, and Jani Rose Ranson.
Taylor Moore can be reached at taylor.moore@laverne.edu.
Abelina J. Nuñez can be reached at abelina.nunez@laverne.edu.
Taylor Moore is a junior broadcast journalism major and LV Life editor for Spring 2023. In her fourth semester on Campus Times, this is her second time serving as LV Life editor. She has also served as social media editor and staff writer.
Abelina J. Nuñez, a junior journalism major, is arts editor for the Campus Times and a staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine. She has previous served as LV Life editor, social media editor and staff writer.
