Pya was born in Baltimore, Maryland on June 30, 1960 to the late Mildred Vashti Dennis and Spencer Verrett.  Her early childhood education was completed in the Baltimore school system where she was joined at the age of seven by her little sister Tabetha, whose hand she would hold to navigate that city as school children.  In later years she relocated with her mother to Orlando where they often lived together or just minutes from one another.

She was a voracious learner in and out of the classroom.  She attended Strayer College in Baltimore before completing several degrees at Valencia Community College and a bachelor's  in Legal Studies at the University of Central Florida where she continued working towards a graduate degree.  She was a beautiful writer and her letters depicted her energetic handwriting, her prose, the words she chose, and her sincerity of thought.

Pya retired from the Orange County Office of Development Services (Florida) in 2019.  Prior to that, she worked for over a decade at Valencia College in the Office of the Registrar.  She was extremely proud of her work in public service, especially in the Registrar's Office where she touched and helped many students of various backgrounds, nationalities, and stages in life.

Our beloved Pya passed away on August 1, 2022.  Preceding her in death was her precious son,  Darrin. Left to cherish her memory are her three remaining children,  Whitney (Shawn, Sr.), Rhianne, and Danielle;  four grandchildren, Dakaurus, Saniyah, Shawn, Jr., and Sincere; one maternal sister, Tabetha Ewing (Jesse); paternal siblings,  George, Roderick, El Jeardon, Felicia, Cheryl, and Lenita.