Naman Shrestha
When the news of the untimely passing of Angela Bledsoe broke out in October 2018, her entire family, including her parents, Ray and Gaynelle Bledsoe, and her siblings, Diedre Hill, Lisa LaBoo, and Ray Gardner, was devastated. With the investigators chasing her boyfriend, James Ray, who was responsible for killing her, the Bledsoe family remained patient and waited for justice. Finally, they got some closure when the killer was convicted of the crime. Angela’s parents and two sisters feature in ABC’s ’20/20: Diary of a Killer,’ which delves deep into the case and the investigation that ensued.
Angela Bledsoe’s Parents and Brothers Prefer to Lead Private Lives
On February 11, 1974, Angela Bledsoe was born, bringing joy and sunshine into the lives of Ray and Gaynelle Bledsoe. Alongside their three other kids, they raised her with unconditional love and unwavering support, filling the Bledsoe household with laughter and warmth. Angela was quite close to her siblings — sisters, Diedre Hill and Lisa LaBoo, and brother, Ray Gardner, who remained an integral part of her life even when they grew up and forged their own paths. Right from her 20s, she had made a successful career as a financial analyst and also served as Parliamentarian for Florida A&M University (FAMU) National Alumni Association, her alma mater. Each and every family member was proud of the life Angela had built for herself and her daughter, Alana. The Bledsoes were a tight-knit bunch until Angela’s tragic death on October 22, 2018, shook their lives upside down.
After her untimely passing, her parents founded the Angela M. Bledsoe Endowed Scholarship to keep her legacy alive and assist the students who wish to study at Florida A&M University. Following the conviction of James Ray, Angela’s killer, in May 2023, her family got the closure that they had longed for for several years. However, they were disappointed when the perpetrator died before his sentencing, as he did not get punished for his crimes. Although Angela’s mother, Gaynelle, stayed away from the limelight, she expressed how she felt after losing her daughter in an interview with News12, stating, “I shed a lot of tears after it happened. It was just like cold-blooded.” Following Angela Bledsoe’s passing, her family members have chosen to grieve in their own way. Her parents, Ray and Gaynelle Bledsoe, and brother, Ray Gardner, live a life away from the spotlight.
While Lisa Laboo Works to Continue Angela’s Legacy, Diedre Hall Cherishes Her in Private
Angela Bledsoe shared a deep connection with her sisters, Diedre Hill and Lisa Laboo. The trio had always been each other’s biggest cheerleaders, taking great pride in every accomplishment and endeavor the other one took upon. Naturally, her passing has left a void that nothing can ever fill. However, the sisters ensure they celebrate her life and keep her memories alive. A Suitland High graduate, Lisa obtained a Master of Business Administration degree in Business Administration and Management from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in 1988. The CEO/President of Prosperity Investment Services, Inc. and Prosperity Real Estate, LLC, Lisa is an entrepreneur in her own right.
Holding titles such as MBA, ChFC, CLU, CASL, RHU, REBC, RICP, she has worked for some time at Florida Power Corporation and Nationwide Retirement Solutions at some point. In a career spanning 25 years, Lisa has offered excellent service in relation to securities and insurance to hundreds of clients. On the personal front, Lisa has been married to the love of her life, Christopher, for decades. Together, the two have raised their brilliant kids, including a son named Jonas Delorian LaBoo, with immense love and care. She is also an active advocate for the Angela M. Bledsoe Endowed Scholarship that not only honors Angela’s legacy but also her determination to help future students pursue education without obstacles.
Over the years, especially during Angela’s birthday month, Lisa has spoken about her sister’s impact on the community. Not just that, she has herself donated generously and urged people to donate to the scholarship fund, which has helped finance education for many individuals as of writing. They have also dedicated a plaque to Angela with the words “Forever in our Hearts” engraved on it. While Diedre is not active on social media, she did share a heartwarming note on Lisa’s post regarding FAMU’s Homecoming in November 2022. She wrote (in full caps), “Our baby sister would be so proud of her legacy. She’d be proud that the most important part of her legacy is well taken care of by her aunt and family.” She added, “We love you Angela TO THE END OF TIME.”
Alana Has Grown into a Talented Teenager With Her Family by Her Side
Every bit of what Diedre stated stands true, as Angela’s daughter, Alana, has blossomed under the guidance of everyone who loved Angela. From what we can tell, Lisa has predominantly stepped in to care for the little one, who was just 6 when her mother passed away. Angela was confident in her daughter’s potential and had signed her up for dance lessons at Sharon Miller Dance Academy. At the time, she had also enrolled Alana in Mandarin and Spanish courses at Jump Immersion School. It seems like Alana stayed on track with the family’s support and emerged as a bright teenager who speaks fluent Spanish and Mandarin. A proud aunt, Lisa often takes her along to FAMU for events that touch upon Angela’s life. On Angela’s birthday in February 2025, Lisa penned, in part, “To the best little sister in the world, continue to rest in perfect peace. Alana looks like you when you were her age. You would be so proud of the young lady she is growing up to be.”
Read More: Where is James Ray Now? Update on Angela Bledsoe’s Killer
