Evelyn Works Raynor

Evelyn Works Raynor's faith was perfected, when she went home to Heaven, to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, August 31, 2011. She was born December 29, 1924 in Rocky Mount NC. Mrs. Raynor was the daughter of the late Raymond Johnson Works, Sr. and Willie Mae Deatherage Works. She was the widow of Alfonso Brantley "Roy" Raynor, who preceded her in death in 1996. Mrs. Raynor was also preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Lila Works Threatt Winters, and a brother, Raymond Johnson Works, Jr. Mrs. Raynor was a graduate of Rocky Mount Senior High School, class of '43, St. Mary's Junior College, in Raleigh NC and she attended Meredith College, before her marriage, to the love of her life, "Roy" Raynor in 1948. They spent 48 years of devotion and commitment, sharing and working together in the family business, Works Tobacco Warehouse, later Raynor Warehouse, that was started by her father, in the early 40's. Mrs. Raynor was a wonderful homemaker and loving wife and Mother. She enjoyed traveling and planning special family vacations. She loved being with her family and friends. Her annual Fourth of July pig pickings will always be special memories for her family and close friends, as well as wonderful times spent at her beach place in Kill Devil Hills. Mrs. Raynor was an active member of First Baptist Church her entire life, before her health began to decline in recent years. She served in many capacities of church service, but her greatest joy was teaching the Senior Adult Ladies Sunday School Class and delivering homemade vegetable soup to elderly homebound church members. She loved studying God's Word and sharing the Gospel. She traveled four times to the Holy Land, in Israel, Egypt and Europe to enhance her lifelong love of history and Biblical study. Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, DiAnn Raynor Deans and son-in-law, Robert Turner Deans of Clayton NC; her son, Roy Johnson "R.J." Raynor and daughter-in-law, Barbara Longest Raynor of Rocky Mount; and granddaughter, Blair Kendall Raynor of New York NY. Also surviving are granddaughter, Kimberly Deans Brantley, her husband, James, of Clayton NC; great-granddaughters, Mollie and Emilee Brantley; grandson, Jeremy Keith Deans and wife April of Garner NC; and great-grandsons, Harrison and Turner Deans. Mrs. Raynor is also survived by one sister, Willa Joan Works "Billie Jo" Matthews and her brother-in-law, Ret. Judge Tom H. Matthews of Rocky Mount; two sisters-in-law, Gerald Ann Raynor Braswell and Mamie Raynor Parker of Rocky Mount; and many dear nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank three precious "angels", Inetta Cobb, Nora Small and Eva Thorne, for their many years of being loving, devoted and gentle caregivers of Mrs. Raynor. The family would like to acknowledge, with gratitude, the wonderful, loving, and dedicated staff of Autumn Care of Nash, where Mrs. Raynor was a resident for the past two years. A Celebration of Life funeral service will be held at 3:00p.m. Wednesday, September 7, 2011, at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill Grisham officiating. Burial will follow at Pineview Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, in the lobby of the Family Ministry Center of First Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Building Fund of First Baptist Church, 200 S. Church Street, Rocky Mount NC 27804. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation First Baptist Church (Rocky Mount) 200 S. Church Street Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-446-9113 --> | Wednesday 9/7, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Service First Baptist Church (Rocky Mount) 200 S. Church Street Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-446-9113 --> | Wednesday 9/7, 3:00 pm Cemetery Pineview Cemetery 761 N. Raleigh Road Rocky Mount, NC 27801