Serena Renee Ali

Serena Renee (Holmes) Ali was born in Paterson, NJ on July 14, 1953. She was the third of five children born to Joseph Holmes Sr. and Serena Mae Holmes. Renee departed this life on August 20, 2024.

Renee attended Paterson Public Schools. She graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1970 at the age of 16. She was accepted to Tombrock College but chose to attend business school to enhance her secretarial skills. There she earned her certification and was gainfully employed as an Administrative Secretary for the State of New Jersey Bureau of Quality Control. After 30 years of service, Renee retired and relocated to Virginia Beach in 2015.

Renee had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. From the 7th grade until high school graduation, she was the lead singer in a four girl singing group called “The Shantel’s”. With a back up band, the group performed at school dances, weddings, political events and birthday parties. They even appeared on two teenage television shows, “The Zachary Show” and “The Chuck McCann Show”. Renee was known to burst into song whenever the mood struck her. While in class she would entertain her classmates by singing the hit songs of her favorite girl group, “The Supremes”. 

Renee was a lifelong member of Roger Williams Baptist Church in Passaic, New Jersey. There she faithfully sang on the choir until leaving New Jersey.

In addition to being talented and intelligent, Renee had a sense of humor that was hilarious, spontaneous, witty and unmatched. She kept everyone laughing with her funny comedic antics. Her personality attracted and drew people to her. She was always friendly and loving to her family and friends.

Renee had a passion for interior design. She loved to decorate. Not a room in her house was without her original touch. She often took on-line courses to enhance her skills and creative talents. Proud of her certificates, she framed and hung them on the walls of her newly purchased home in Virginia Beach.

Renee was married three times. At 17, she married Marvin (Butch) Chappel (deceased). They had two children, Selena Chappel Robinson and Tanya J. Chappel (deceased). In a relationship after Butch’s death, Renee had a son, Ira-Dion. She later met and married, Ronald Haley Sr. and had a son Ronald Lee Haley Jr. Years later, Renee married Tofuzul (Tuffy) Ali and together they raised a blended family.

During the past seven years, Renee lovingly and happily lived her life with fiancé, Colin Dozier.

Renee is predeceased by her mother, Serena Mae Holmes, Father Joseph Holmes Sr., daughter Tanya Chappel, brother Joseph Holmes, Jr. and nephew Joseph Holmes III.

Renee leaves behind three children, Selena Robinson, Ira Dion Chappel and Ronald Lee Haley Jr; Stepchildren, Tasha Ali and Lamar Edmonds; Three sisters, Brenda Nero, Patricia Holmes, and Marilyn Hall; Daughter-in-law, Nianni Haley; Sister-in-law, Kay Holmes; Granddaughters, Alaya, Saudaya, Faith, Destiny, Lailanni, and Milan; Grandsons, David, Andrew, Ira, Nasir, and Lil David; Nieces, Cecily, Serene and Akua; Nephews: Auran, Jared, Zuri, Jawaree and a host of great grands, great nieces and great nephews; Best friends, Debra Laird and Crystal Thompson, Valarie Jones, Donna Heath and Debra Bright along with a large supportive community of friends.

She will be sadly missed by all including her cat Simba who sits on the stairs waiting for her return.