Tyran Patterson and Dyanla “Dede” Rainey met while he was working at Footlocker in April 2019 and bonded quickly over their love for sneakers and basketball.
The two fell in love, created a YouTube channel together and spent time living together with the rest of the Rainey family.
But Rainey, 22, a former star high school basketball player, was fatally shot in Maywood on Sunday, according to police.
Family and friends gathered Monday evening for a vigil, where they released teal and white balloons in Rainey’s honor. According to Patterson, blue was her favorite color.
“Dede had the sweetest personality,” he said. “(She) was one of the most positive people I’ve ever met — so determined, so caring, (so) understanding … I can’t express enough: she was the perfect person.”
While in high school, Dede Rainey and her twin sister, Miyanda Rainey, led the Marshall Metropolitan High School girls basketball team to the Class 2A state championship in 2018.
“We are devastated to hear of the passing of Dyanla Rainey,” said David Rosengard, executive director of sports administration at Chicago Public Schools. “Dyanla was an integral part of the Marshall community and her incredible legacy as a state champion in girls basketball and her impact as a member of the Marshall and CPS family will always be remembered and honored. Our thoughts are with the Rainey family and larger Marshall and CPS community at this time.”
While Dede continued playing basketball in college, the pandemic changed the course of her life and pushed her to focus on building an at-home day care business with her sister, according to Patterson. He remembered her picking the house they recently bought in Maywood with the kids’ happiness as the priority.
Patterson said the kids gravitated toward her.
“A couple of mornings I went with her to pick up the kids, and when she came outside with them, they had the biggest smiles on their faces,” he said. “All the children loved Dede.”
He called the shooting “really random,” because Dede Rainey was returning home from cleaning her car as she did every Sunday. The two were looking forward to a trip to Houston together for her birthday in October. Now, he spends time with the Rainey family on her porch reminiscing about her life and wondering what is next for his.
“I always had Dede. I always had Dede. When I had nothing, I had Dede. And now that Dede is gone, I feel like I don’t have anything,” Patterson said through tears. “And I miss her so much.”
More Top Picks Best Harmonicas
The family is hosting a viewing Sunday 4-7 p.m. at the Greater Christian Love M.B. Church and a celebration of life Monday starting at 10 a.m. at the Miracle Revival Center.
Maywood detectives are continuing to investigate the shooting, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Maywood Police Department Investigations Unit at 708-450-4471, ext. 4307.