Mrs. Ciara Marie Steeby Nero

Ciara Marie (Rucker) Nero was born on February 4, 1995, to Cornelius and Karen Rucker in Kansas City, MO. Ciara grew up in Kansas City, MO within a religious family and accepted Christ in her life at an early age. Ciara attended the Kansas City School District. She received early recognition and was honored as being a gifted and talented student. She graduated from Lincoln College Preparatory Academy in 2013. After graduating high school, she went on to attend college at William Jewell College in Liberty, MO. Ciara was gifted with musical talents and while attending William Jewell, she was part of the gospel and concert choirs, which are a highly selective ensemble composed of the very best choral singers. Ciara received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics in 2016. Culminating her education in 2019, she graduated with a Master’s degree in Education from John Hopkins University. Ciara began her teaching career for Uplift Education Charter School District in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area. She was part of the inaugural class of Urban Teacher residents in Uplift as a part of the John Hopkins University program. When her residency was completed, she joined Uplift Wisdom Secondary. She was the first 8th grade Math teacher for the campus. For seven years, she taught various levels of math for middle school and high school students. Ciara was truly dedicated and desired to have an impact in shaping the minds and lives of her students. She impacted hundreds of students' lives because she was doing something that she loved. After several years of teaching, Ciara advanced in her career by taking on various leadership roles. She became the Math department chair, where she made contributions by establishing the Diploma Program (DP) math program. She was a part of the Leadership network program for the Fort Worth area and made contributions to the STEM program. She became one of the International Baccalaureate DP Coordinators for Uplift Wisdom Preparatory, where she carried out effective leadership and administrative functions of the IBDP Program. Throughout her teaching career she received many awards and high recognition for her dedication and teaching performance. In October 2020, Ciara married Deron Nero in Kansas City, MO at Boone Tabernacle COGIC, where they were members. To this union a son was born, Deron Nero Jr. Ciara loved her family, she was a devoted wife and a loving mother. She looked forward to family outings, creating moments of laughter, and spending quality time with her family watching movies. She also enjoyed reading, traveling, shopping and singing. She attended One Community Church, in Dallas, TX with her family where she served on the praise team. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Floyd (Jake) Steeby and her maternal grandmother, Rosa Mary Wells. Ciara leaves to celebrate her life and legacy: her husband, Deron Nero; her son, Deron Nero Jr; her father and mother Cornelius and Karen Rucker; mother-in-law Diane McCray; her grandmother, Mary Steeby; her siblings Michael Coats (Erin); Carlos Jones; Channel Smith (Reginald Sr); Chontae Rucker; Constance Rucker; brothers-in-law James McCray; Anthony Nero; sister-in-law D’Adria Dixon (Tyrone); as well as a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, loved ones and friends. Funeral services Saturday, September 21, at 11:00am at Boone Tabernacle Church of God In Christ. Interment Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation 10:00am-11:00am at the church. Arrangements entrusted to Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website.

Mrs. Ciara Marie Steeby Nero

February 4, 1995 - September 8, 2024