Rickey Smileys Granddaughter Denver Is His Joy in Floral Yellow Outfit in New Video

Publish date: 2024-05-06

During a time of mourning, Rickey Smiley shared a video of his "JOY," his youngest granddaughter Denver Owens. The syndicated radio host buried his eldest son last month. The cause of death has not been confirmed.

In the clip from March 1, 2023, Rickey Smiley is singing along to a song in the background as he films Denver almost dancing to his words in her bunny-themed cot. The tot is adorable in a mustard yellow headband, coordinated yellow floral shirt, and blue leggings.

Denver Elizabeth Owens was born December 7, 2022, weighing 6 pounds 12 ounces. Her mother, D'Essence Smiley, wrote in the social media birth announcement: "My angel, I prayed for you every step of the way, you made it, and all I can do is thank God…."

Baby Denver Already Started 'Learning' Shortly after Her Birth

Fortunately for his children, Rickey Smiley is not just a fun grandparent. At just over a month old, Denver is seen lying on her stomach and intently studying an educational video propped up in front of her in a clip uploaded by her grandpa in mid-January.

The father went on "Today" to discuss his son's death with anchor Craig Melvin.

The comedian has a lot of practice being an involved grandfather. His first grandbaby, Storm Smiley, is "just like" her late father, Brandon Smiley, he said in a video caption of them playing together.

Rickey Smiley's First Granddaughter Storm Lost Her Dad

Rickey went on Instagram to announce the death of Brandon on the morning of January 29, 2023. Still raw from his grief, the host made a video as he headed to the airport to ask his following to pray for everyone touched by Brandon's passing.

The family man said he now understood what his grandpa went through when he had to bury his child, Rickey's dad. Mike Epps, Taraji P. Henson, and Marlon Wayans expressed their condolences in the comments.

The father went on "Today" to discuss his son's death with anchor Craig Melvin on March 2. Brandon's girlfriend had called Rickey around ten a.m. on January 29, telling him to get to Birmingham, Alabama, because his son, in her words, had overdosed.

While readying for his noon flight, his daughter Taylor called crying with the news of Brandon's death. Rickey and his ex-wife Brenda Morris had tried to help their child with his drug addiction for years. Brandon returned to the Christian faith shortly before his death and was baptized.

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