Jenai Kristin Lyles was born on March 25, 1967 to the union of Ronald and Henriette Lyles in Los Angeles, California.  She was the middle child of three.

Jenai accepted Christ at an early age under the pastorate of Fredrick K.C. Price. She was a charter member of Shabach Christian Fellowship (Los Angeles Shabach Foursquare Church) where she expressed her love for the Lord by joining the youth choir, Ascension, and used her acting skills in various church drama productions. As an adult she served as a dedicated member of the church council for 6 years. Using her giftings in various aspects of ministry, she remained an active and faithful member of Shabach throughout her life.

A native Angeleno, Jenai began her education in the Los Angeles Unified School District where she attended elementary and junior high, then went on to graduate from University High School. In later years she studied at California State University, Northridge. As a young adult, Jenai worked in retail before following in the footsteps of her maternal grandmother and becoming an employee of Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company. In 1999, Jenai began her career with the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Police Department. It was with LAPD that Jenai found a home as she promoted several times until achieving the classification of Management Analyst.

 Unbeknowst to some, Jenai had many unexpected talents and avocations. Break dancing, spitting mad rhymes, participating in the occasional beat box battle, and shooting the dozens with unparalleled skill were just a few of her talents. She found great pleasure in listening to music and singing. Her favorite musical genres were Gospel, R&B, Hip-Hop, Old-School Rap, and Reggae Dancehall. She enjoyed traveling and taking weekend jaunts to her favorite locales in Palm Springs, San Diego, and Las Vegas. Whether during her travels or while at home she enjoyed trying new restaurants and eateries. A self-proclaimed foodie, Jenai always had a recommendation for a “must try spot”, as well as suggestions for their tastiest offerings. She always had an interest in making things beautiful. This was evidenced in childhood by how she would draw on her dolls and cut their hair in order to improve upon their looks. That love of beauty carried into her adult life in the forms of decorating, party planning, and creating beautifully crafted, one of a kind, greeting cards. It also extended to her relationships where she chose to see the best in people and always made sure to encourage, uplift, and pray for those around her.

While Jenai enjoyed many things in life, nothing brought her greater joy than loving and raising her daughter, Alexis. She was a dedicated mother who was uncompromising in her commitment to her daughter’s welfare and success. She reflected the Lord’s commandment to “train up a child in the way he should go,” as she invested in Alexis. We witnessed how Jenai taught her to keep her feet in the house of the Lord. Alexis, like her mother, strengthens the body of Christ through her gifts of dance, singing, drama, public speaking, prayer and intercession, and the ministry of giving. Alexis is ONE of the many proofs of Jenai’s legacy of finishing well.

Beautiful, witty, loving, caring, gentle, kind, and selfless…Jenai!

On Wednesday, February 23, 2022, Jenai was welcomed into her heavenly home. She was preceded in death by her father, Ronald Lyles, and her mother, Henriette Lyles. 

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Alexis Lyles, siblings, Ronald Lyles and Alia Lyles, and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, family and friends.