Elizabeth Reneé Birdsong, known to everyone as Reneé, passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2026, in DeLand, Florida.

Reneé was born on November 15, 1970, in Fort Gaines, Georgia, to Don E. and Mary Dees Birdsong. She grew up on a farm in Eldorendo, Georgia, where she first fell in love with horses. When she was 12, her family moved to Fort Myers, Florida. Reneé graduated from Cypress Lake High School in 1989, where she earned National Honor Society recognition with Advanced Placement honors, along with a Florida Academic Scholarship that paid for her college education. She went on to Florida State University, graduating with honors in December 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate and Marketing.

Reneé spent her career in real estate and land services. She started as a loan officer at Norwest Financial in Jacksonville, then moved back to Fort Myers with the company. She later returned to central Florida, working as a contract research agent for Florida Power starting in 2000. In 2006, she was hired full-time by Progress Energy as a senior acquisition agent, and in 2024 she moved into the role of land surveying coordinator for Duke Energy.

Reneé was also a 31-year bone marrow transplant survivor. That experience led her to spend much of her life helping others. She was active with Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society, and her love of Jeeping led her to raise money for causes close to her heart, including Krawlin' for the Fallen. Every year, she and her partner Chris volunteered at Jeep Beach, one of the largest Jeep gatherings on the East Coast. She was also a proud member of the Ladies Off-Road Network.

More than anything, Reneé loved being out in her Jeep on the weekends with friends who shared her passion. She also enjoyed making jewelry, hunting for antique furniture, and collecting Wedgwood. She had a soft spot for her garden, especially her orchids and the butterfly garden she built by hand. She was a lifelong reader and a devoted fan of Stephen King and Anne Rice.

Reneé was known for showing up when someone needed help, and she never wanted credit for it. Those who knew her often called her an unsung hero, because she gave so much without ever asking for anything back.

Renee adored her nephews Trey and Reid, along with Chris's grandson Christian, as if they were her own children. She would have done anything for each of them.

Reneé is survived by her mother, Mary D. Birdsong; her sister, Jennifer M. Birdsong (Eric Miller); her nephews, Denny "Trey" Rager III and Reid Rager; and her partner of 14 years, Chris Giancola. She was preceded in death by her father, Don E. Birdsong.

A memorial and celebration of life will be announced in the coming weeks. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in Reneé's honor to Krawlin' for the Fallen: https://www.offroadunitedfoundation.com/krawln-for-the-fallen