On November 28, 1989, God loaned Raymond Gearing and Merlene Arrington an angel. This angel was named Raynette Charnelle Gearing and her parents knew that she would make a mark in this world. On October 29, 2022, our angel went back home to be with the Lord.
Raynette was known as a bubbly, cheerful, outgoing, and loving person. At Oscar Smith High School, in Chesapeake, Va, Raynette was a part of several clubs and activities including the cheerleading squad and the yearbook club. She graduated from the Excellence Girls Club in Chesapeake, Virginia, and later served as a mentor to the young ladies. She earned a diploma in 2008. She went on to attend Norfolk State University pursuing a degree in nursing. She attended Tidewater Community College and Thomas Nelson Community College to continue her education and follow her passion in Social Work.
At the age of 20, the greatest gift from God came into Raynette’s life. Devynn Charnelle Gearing. Ray’s babygirl, who she dedicated every day of her life to. They shared middle names, as Devynn was her twin and the love of her life. They were two peas in a pod and joined at the hip. Raynette poured every ounce of her love into Devynn. Oftentimes, when you called Raynette, she would be doing something for Devynn including taking her to dance practice, parades, school events, or traveling. She loved being a mom to her babygirl, her broke little best friend.
Raynette’s first job was at Farm Fresh while she was balancing high school and cheering, one of her first loves. Then she worked at Wachovia Bank as a teller and was known for her bubbly personality. She worked at First Virginia Bank as a consultant and the Department of Motor Vehicles. Then God gave her the opportunity to work with the City of Portsmouth in Social Services as an Benefits Program Specialist I, where she found her passion. As her skills advanced, she worked for the City of Norfolk as a Benefits Program Specialist Senior, which she recently received a promotion for her hard work as a leader. Also, she was a self-taught hair braider, who shared her talent with many.
The stories and accomplishments about Raynette could go on and on. As we cherish her memories and continue her legacy, she will be extremely missed but never forgotten by her parents, Raymond Gearing and Merlene Arrington; her daughter, Devynn Gearing; her sister, Melanie Hammonds; her brothers, Christopher Coles and Michael Gearing; grandmother, Mattie Bryant; aunt, Larita Gilchrist (John Gilchrist). Raynette had special friends who loved her as their sister: Angel Eason, Danielle Hildebrand (White), Catherine Marin, Ashley Brown, and Ciara Wilder. Also, she had a host of special cousins, family, and friends who she shared a special bond with and loved dearly. She is predeceased by her sister Candice Hammonds; maternal grandmother, Dianne Humpfrey Muller; maternal grandfather Harrell Lee Bryant, and aunts Delphine and Sheena Jones.
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Pacita Moore BKA Ms.Moore says
November 3, 2022 at 11:09 pmGod needed a flower and he picked you!! You will be truly missed. Thank you for always being all you can be and being the right person for everyone!! This is really hard, I can still see you braiding my hair, taking breaks fixing us a nice healthy meal, and me in tears because I am tender headed and you fussing me out!! I love you!! My PDSS worker/ birthday mini me!! Until we meet again…
Antionette Watson says
November 4, 2022 at 11:44 amHeaven couldn’t wait for you. I will miss you so much. You had the best soul and just a genuine kind hearted person. To know that I will never laugh with you ever again tears me up inside. I love you and will live in my heart forever.
Kita says
November 8, 2022 at 8:15 pmRay! Your heart has always been Pure! Sharing that Sagittarius blood with my Daughter, she loves you just as much as I do! The world will not be the same without you! Ascend my Love to your highest Power! We got Devyn and your Spirit will live within us forever more! You are Free now! I Love You beyond Words! #Raynita!
Melanie Hammonds says
November 9, 2022 at 10:18 amRay..this really hurts sistergirl. I can’t believe you’re not here anymore and I have to spend the rest of my life without you. I’ve been wanting to call you and confide in you and I can’t. And we brainstorm solutions minus the emo stuff, lol. I hold on to all our memories, but deep down inside I wanted to create so many more. I thought we had more time and we would grow old together. It just breaks my heart to pieces. I don’t know what to do. I’m happy that you’re with Candice now and you have each other. I’m going to make sure Devynn is loved and nurtured. She’s definitely your mini me. I really wish you could have stayed here longer. I miss you so much!!! I’m glad I got to tell you and show you how much I love you as much as I could, as often as I could, and in my own way. But I really wish I could hug you and tell you one more time. I’d let you hug me as long as you want and laugh the whole time, lol. (You know i would squarm when the hug was too long, lol.) I love beyond this world’s understanding, pass the milky way, and all the planets.
Gracie Butts says
November 4, 2022 at 8:40 pmSending my sincere condolences to Merlene and Mrs. Bryant and family.
Annette Brown says
November 4, 2022 at 10:21 pmVery sorry for your loss Merlene. My prayers of comfort are lifting you and the family. May the lord Jesus hold you in his arms and give you peace during this difficult time.
Angel Eason says
November 5, 2022 at 7:03 pmI love you sis, forever.
Danielle Hildebrand says
November 6, 2022 at 3:50 pmI will always love you ray and you will never be forgotten! Sisters forever
Kathy Allen says
November 6, 2022 at 4:45 pmRaynette you are truly missed. I can’t believe that you had to go so soon. God picked a beautiful soul to come home to Heavenly Paradise. Your smile and your caring heart is needed elsewhere.
I was just talking about you early Saturday morning, not knowing until the afternoon that you are in God’s arms smiling down at all of us. You knew we would be okay.
Rest now in Heavenly Peace!
Love you 😍
Kathy Allen and Family
Sandra Eloise WHITE says
November 6, 2022 at 6:04 pmSorry for your loss. Ray was such a good and sweet person. My niece Danielle and Ray was close. They was like sisters. My daughter Crystal use to baby set her Ray daughter when she little .
Sorry for your loss and praying for the family and her daughter. 🙏
Zakia Howard says
November 6, 2022 at 10:36 pmLove you always my girl forever! I was your ZEETHUS & you will always be my RAYTHUS! Until we meet again, Rest on….
Adrienne Griffin says
November 7, 2022 at 11:48 amHeaven gained a beautiful angel. Thank you for always being you Ray ❤️ Prayers to the entire family.
George P. says
November 7, 2022 at 3:24 pmMy lil sis… you will be greatly missed. Love you always. Can’t believe I won’t be seeing that smiling face as you tell me, “George, I got u!”…But I know you smiling from up above. Continued prayers for your family and loved ones. Always know Devyn is good good!
Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Eason Sr.. . says
November 8, 2022 at 9:03 pmExtending our deepest sympathy and Love to the family of Raynette. She will truly be miss. God picked a beautiful Rose. Her precious memories will linger on in our hearts.
Carrie Brown says
November 9, 2022 at 4:42 pmTo Merlene and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. My sincere condolences and prayers. May “God” continue to watch over you at this difficult time.
Chiquita Georges says
November 9, 2022 at 6:03 pmExtending my deepest sympathy to the family. May the peace of God be with you all in your time of sorrow. Rest well Raynette “ Woman of Excellence”! Love you beautiful❤️
God Bless!
Chiquita Georges
Gwen Williams says
November 9, 2022 at 9:49 pmRaynette was a mentor at Excellence Girls Club to my daughter, Aiyana Wood. She was always a upbeat motivating spirit. Thank you to her family for sharing her with us. She was a true example of selfless giving. We all were blessed by her nurturing spirit!
Jamie Jones says
November 10, 2022 at 8:58 amSending my condolences to the family . I remember when my mother Patricia Phillips first started working with her ray’s mom and my said oh can your daughter do hair ? Ray said of course I can lol and from then on she would always do my hair . At the time in my life I didn’t love myself but with the help of Ray ray she made me beautiful and told me God never makes mistakes when he created us and from then on I knew you were a God sending person love u girl. You definitely helped me the person I am today .
corey says
November 10, 2022 at 10:18 amCondolences to family and friends in the loss of your loved one.
Martika Savage says
November 10, 2022 at 4:44 pmRay,
I love you and I cherish all the good memories we had! Sending love to all the family
Bridget Harris says
November 11, 2022 at 8:15 pmMerlene, sorry for your loss. I would often see Ray at Wachovia and she was always so pleasant and always had a smile on her face. She was a beautiful person.
Devynn Gearing says
November 12, 2022 at 10:21 amI will forever love you mom. I wish I had more than 12 years with you, but I can say they were the best 12 years ever. You may be gone but you’re never forgotten.
Love you mommy. ❤️
Jaylon says
August 19, 2023 at 4:00 amlove you devynn mom,I wish I was here to tell you this right now,but I love you,also devynn sorry for you’re lost but still I will love the both of you and everybody else in this family and you’re apart of it ❤️ ♥️ 💙 💖 💕 💗 ❤️ ♥️ 💙 💖 💕 💗 😇love all you forever :From Jaylon :To devynn and her mom
Dawnyell Cox says
November 14, 2022 at 1:58 pmGone but never forgotten, I’m still in disbelief. Ray was sweet and outgoing and a wonderful friend to my mother. I’m thankful we were able to know such a beautiful and kind hearted person. She lived her life to the fullest and was very adventurous! It pains me to know you’re no longer here but our memories will forever live on.
Merlene R Arrington says
December 16, 2022 at 10:36 amI Would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, comments and condolences for my daughter. She was an outstanding woman in progress to greater things. I feel like I have lost my best friend, second mother, successful daughter. No mother expects to funeralize their child, but God has it in control. Remember to tell your children you love them every time you see them because that love will go a long way. Raynette will truly be missed by her family, friends and love ones
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