Kayana Reñeé Marks Narcisse, lovingly known by family as "Kay", "Reñeé", and "Ana" suddenly, and tragically passed away on May 23, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee, having left this world brightened with her smile, quiet peaceful presence, and gentle spirit.
Born on March 26, 1992 at Rockford Memorial Hospital to Debra Kay Allen Marks and Eldwin Lewis Marks, Kayana was the joy of their life. Kayana matriculated at The Howard University where she studied Biology. While at Howard she met the love of her life Joshua Henry Narcisse.
Graduating with the class of 2014, Kayana took a gap year as she prepared to apply for Medical School, a dream she'd nurtured since the tender age of two years old. She was persistent; studying daily and working part-time.
On November 18, 2023 Kayana and Joshua were married in Memphis at Idlewild Presbyterian Church. This past year Kayana began volunteering at Church Health as a Scholar and in January 2024 was accepted into Medical School at the Baptist Health Sciences University College of Medicine.
Kayana leaves to cherish her memory, her husband Joshua Narcisse, her parents Eldwin and Debra Marks, her brother Jonathan Marks, aunts: Angel (Shababa) Townsend and Erica Marks-Baker (Pharris Baker) , uncles: Michael (Kathy) Marks and Dean Allen, grandparents: James and Shirley Marks, and Yvonne Allen, godparents: Dr. Charles and Minnie Washington, Clarence and Alice Howard; mother-in-law, Norma Heyward, and two sisters-in-law, Christina, and Precious Heyward, and a host of cousins, friends, and chosen family. Preceding her in death was her older brother, Eldwin L. Marks, II, and by her Grandfather William Allen.
A funeral service will be held 11:00a.m. Saturday June 8, at St. Paul Church of God in Christ  1001 Bishop Washington Avenue, Rockford, IL.  Visitation 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Arrangements completed by Carl E. Ponds Funeral Home Inc. 200 N. Johnston Ave.