Sonja Raynette Whitt
November 7, 1964 ~ May 18, 2009
Resided in:
Alexander, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Sonja Raynette Whitt, 44, of Alexander, entered eternal life on Monday, May 18, 2009, at Memorial Campus, Mission Hospitals.
Raynette attended Open Hearts Art Center of Asheville. She enjoyed all types of art, music, and dance. She was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, where she attended the Cartwright Sunday School Class.
A native of Buncombe Co., Raynette is a daughter of Annette Robinson Roof and husband Larry, of Alexander, and Rayburn Whitt, of Asheville. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her maternal grandmother, Leona Summey Robinson; sister, Marne Davis and husband Jeff and their son Dylan, of Weaverville; step-twin brothers, Shannon and Shawn Roof, of the home; step-sister, Dee Ann Roof and husband Jim Sneegas, of Kansas City, MO; step-brother, Chip Hatley and wife Carol, and their children, Casey and Kyle, of Duncan, SC; a very special aunt and uncle, Larry and Linda Robinson, and their children, Lisa and Sean. She loved animals, especially her dog, Chester, and cat, Sox.
She had numerous relatives and friends whom she loved dearly. She was adored by everyone and she never met a stranger.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Marvin F. Robinson.
A celebration of Raynette's life will be at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday at St. Paul's Methodist Church, with the Revs. In Yong Lee and Rolf Woodard officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery.
Her family will receive friends from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Sunday at the church. Raynette will lie in state at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue until 12:00 noon Sunday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sonja Raynette Whitt Memorial Fund, c/o St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 223 Hillside St., Asheville, NC 28801.
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Annette and Family, I am so so sorry to hear about Raynette. I know you will miss her terribly. You are in my thoughts and prayers Sincerely
Rhonda Summey Blankenship
Dear Ann, Larry, Leona, Marne, and family,
We are so saddened by the physical loss of Raynette, but her wonderful, joyful spirit is so much a part of us that we will have her with us every day of our lives until we see her again. What an awesome blessing to have shared her life! She was beautiful beyond description. Our family adored her. Please know that you are continually in our prayers. We love you very much and look forward to seeing you soon. May God’s mercy, grace and comfort be lavished on you.
Love,
Freda and Mel
Ann, marne,and family, words cannot express how deeply saddened I am at the loss of one of god’s greatest treasures. But at the same time I rejoice that she is suffering no more and dancing in heaven with her king. I feel blessed to have had such a beautiful soul in my life for the brief time I was honored to spend with her. You all have been a blessing to me and I will keep you all in my prayers. My deepest condolences.
So very sorry to learn of Raynettes’ passing. She has joined the family there waiting for her. May God be with family left behind…With deepest sympathy. Wanda & Jim
You were always a bright light Raynette, pure and honest. I know you and Mamaw are in heaven putting each other in time out right now! We love you!
I am so sorry to hear of Raynette’s passing,but I know she is in the arms of Jesus. I loved her dearly, and you have my deepest smpathy. Aunt Betty
Annette it was such a shock to learn of Raynettes’ death. We always looked forward to visiting with her at the reunions.She was such a sweet girl. She will be missed by everyone that knew her.Our prayers are with you and the family during your time of sorrow.But the Lord always stands beside us offering his strength and comfort to get us through times such as these.
What a kind and loving spirit to be around on Sundays at St. Paul’s United Methodist. Rayney always brought a huge smile to my face and I will miss her. She and I shared an inside joke.. ‘you’re grounded!’ Blessings to her family and everyone who knew and loved her.
Love Always,
Katy Dellinger
Annette and Family, I am very sorry to hear about Raynette’s death. It is never easy losing a loved one and I am sure you will miss her dearly. No doubt you will have a wealth of loving memories to always keep her in your heart and mind. Our thoughts are with you.
Marne and family, sorry to hear of your loss. our prayers are with all of you.( Dylan played ball with my son Nathan a couple Years ago)
Raynette loved a party! I can see her at every family event smiling and talking to everyone. She would always remember your name and if she didn’t know you she wasn’t afraid to ask. ‘Now who are you’? She always had a story to tell you and a mission to accomplish. She will be missed but never forgotten
Annette, Larry, Marnie, Lea,
Raynette was Love and Joy in this world. A living Saint God sent to teach all who knew her what the real meaning of Love and Joy is.
She touched the hearts of everyone who knew her and we are all better off for it. She was so loving and giving,straight from the heart, especially to her twin brothers Shanon and Shawn whom she was so proud of.
Annette and Larry, you are the most giving, loving and caring parents she could ever have had and she adored you both.
Those of us who knew her will forever have our wonderful memories and stories of her, how funny she could be and watch out…..because you would be ‘grounded’ if you were bad. Poor Chester her dog was frequently grounded. What a joy she was….. I KNOW she is with Jesus whom she loved and worshiped and she and Aunt Jessie are having a ball in heaven. When God needs another Angel he takes the BEST.
Sandra Pacheco
God manifests her love through loving people like Raynette and teaches us to be kind and human to others like she was to all of us.
She was pure joy, pure love and a pure giving person on earth.
She gave me an iota of this and I am so grateful to have met her and received all the blessings she bestowed on us. Imagine what a bundle of joy took to heaven. I will be always grateful.
Miss Annette and Marne, I am so sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of babysitting Rainey and Marne when Marne was little more than a baby. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of Rainey’s and Marne’s life however small. She touched so many people and will be missed.
May God bless and keep your family and friends at this time of grief.
Marne, Annette, Lee and family i am so sorry to hear about Raney. She was always such a sweet person. She was beautiful on the inside and out. I loved her so much. I still have the picture she painted for me and brought to me at work. She will be truly missed. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you guys. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Marne, Annette, and Family:
I adopted most of you all as my second family, including and especially Rayney. Her smile, laughter, and presence always brighented my day and spirits. My love, thoughts, and prayers are with you all. If there is anything at I can every do for any of you I am always just a phone call away.
‘I find an old photograph
and see your smile.
As I feel your presence anew,
I am filled with warmth
and my heart remembers love…
I miss your being
but I feel your presence,
In whatever form you choose to take,
however you now choose to be.
Your spirit has become for me
a guardian angel on high
guiding, advising, and watching over me.
I remember you.
You are with me
and I am not afraid.’
Kirsti A. Dyer, MD, MS
Rainey was a very special person that God gave to all of us to love and gain strenght from. She was always happy and full of fun and love for all she came in touch with. I meet Rainey when she was only three years old and lived next door to her for many years. My daughter, Tammy and Rainey shared birthdays. They would play and enjoy each other at their parties and other times. Rainey would always say ‘hello Cleo Ward’ when she greeted me. She will always be in my heart and I will never forget her. God has called Rainey home to become a special Angel for him. Love to all the family and remember I will always be a friend.
Love Cleo Ward
I was surprised this morning to hear the news about Raynette. We lived next door to each other when we were very young. We often celebrated our birthdays together. Our birthdays were only a few days apart. I’ll also remember Raynette as she became a young woman and enjoyed dances with her special friend, Sammy. Even though I haven’t been to Asheville in a few years, I have kept up with news of all my friends. With deepest sympathy, I want you to know that all of Raynette’s family and friends are in my prayers.
Dear Ann, Larry, Leona, Marne, and family,
May God bless you and your family during this time and always. Death brings a new beginning for the one who’s passed and for the ones who remain. She misses you as well, but she is just on the other side, and at peace. Please accept our sincere condolences and know that you are in our hearts and prayers. May God be with you and give you strength. Raynette warmed everyone’s heart she came in contract with. She will remain a blessing to us all and will continue to make us smile.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and gave us everlasting consolation and encouragement and well-founded hope through His grace, comfort and encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.
Love,
Raynette was a special treasure that you were able to hold for a short while. We share with you in your grief. Bobby has so many good memories of school and other activities he shared with Raynette. You are in our prayers.
Annette and Marnie, I was really sorry to hear about Raynette. She was such a joy to know and be around. I know you are in her prayers and we will be keeping you in prayer too. May God Bless you both. Gerry and Frieda
As I was thinking of Rainey this past week I found a poem I felt was appropriate for her passing. I’d like to share it with your family
~ I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge ~
~ myth is more potent than history ~
~ dreams are more powerful than facts ~
~ hope always triumphs over experience ~
~ laughter is the cure for grief ~
~ LOVE is stronger than death.~
—R. Fulgham
I hope each one of you know what joy and happiness Rainey has brought to Open Hearts over the years….her laughter, her vivacious personality, her ‘grounding’ each of us at least once a day and her constant worry over Chester and his antics. She truly reminded us of the everyday treasures in life and for that and so many other things she will be missed more than words can say!! It will take a long time for Open Hearts to get used to daily life without Rainey’s sunny personality in it. We truly love her!! Please call on any of us during this difficult time.
Our Love and Friendship Always!!
Annette, I am so sorry to hear about Raynette. She was such a joy to know. My prayers are with you.
Judy Hyer
Dear Annette: My condolences to you and your husband. I remember Reinette well at GCPC. She was a happy child and young woman.
I wish you strength during this difficult time.
Lisette
I’m sure going to miss her! If I’m not mistaken, I believe I was number 71. She made me laugh and smile in a special way that no one else could ever match. I am honored to have been a part of her family for 45 years. I know I got more out of our relationship than she did! Rainey, I’m sad for myself but I’m so thrilled that you’re not shackled by that handicapped body any more. I love you and I will always think of you.