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Sharlene Raney, of Arnold, Missouri, passed away on October 21, 2020 with her family close by. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 5 pm on Saturday, October 24th with Pastor Dean Galyen, officiating. The service will be held at Kutis Funeral Home, 5525 Lemay Ferry Rd, St Louis, MO 63129. Visitation will be Saturday from 2-5 p.m. prior to Celebration.
Sharlene was born in St Louis, MO to Marion and Louise James on June 3, 1948. She attended Crystal City High School and graduated in 1966. She married the love of her life, Shelby Raney, on September 3 of that same year. She is preceded in death by her parents and 2 siblings, Robert and Patricia who both died at a very young age. Sharlene is survived by her husband, Shelby, her 3 sons, Scott (Christie), Brent (Missy) and Jason, and her 9 grandchildren: Makayla, Alyssa, Morgan, Caitlin, Eric, Jonathan, Kassidy, Kyle, and Gavin; her 4 siblings, Barb, Frank, Brenda and Mary. Sharlene loved her family and had an incredible bond with her sisters. She loved her nieces and nephews. Her niece Angie, was like a daughter to her. She would tell anyone and everyone about her beautiful grandchildren. She had a unique ability to write sermon notes using shorthand. She loved kids and ran VBS in the summer and also a bus ministry.
She loved Southern Gospel Music and she and Shelby traveled often to concerts. They made many friends at the concerts. She loved Branson, MO and specifically The Presleys’. She loved attending church and was always very active at church, attending any time there was a church service. She loved missions and gave generously to missionaries to share the “good news” of the Gospel.
In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a donation to: Assemblies of God World Missions https://giving.ag.org/Give/Details/700001-298168?MinistryName=Galyen&Page=1 or Lewy Body Dementia Association https://www.lbda.org/donate/
We love you aunt shirl you are truly missed beautiful ❤️
Shelby and family, we are so very sorry for the loss of your dear wife and mother.
We well remember her as a wonderful person who deeply loved you and her family.
We enjoyed many good times together and have fond memories of you all.
You will be in our thoughts and prayers for God to bring comfort through your precious memories and the knowledge that she is at rest and enjoying the glories of heaven with her dear Savior. Love to you all
God bless your family and strengthen and comfort you in the days ahead. I feel I have lost a part of my life as Sharlene was like a sister to me. She meant so much and encouraged me so often as I serve the Lord. I thank the Lord for sending her, Shelby and her family as a part of my life. Joyce Muench, Cornfields, Arizona.
Shelby and all of Sharlene’s family, we are so saddened to hear of Sharlene’s passing. Shelby, we had some good fun times getting to meet with and visit with you and Sharlene. She loved all of her family deeply and was so very proud of them. She will sadly be missed. Our love and prayers for God’s comfort and strength are with you and all of the family through this terrible loss – and always.
Eugene & Joyce
Cassie and I are so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
I had the privilege of being the Raney’s pastor in the 70’s. She always so supportive of the pastor and will be remembered as a true servant who contributed her talents in the service of her Lord.
Sharlene,
Was so blessed to have you in our lives during mine and Jason’s child hood, and teenager years.
You put up with all our hijinks, and were so loving and caring.
Can’t Believe your gone, but we know that you are in the presence of God,
Away from pain, away from suffering,
You have run your race,
And have entered into Glory,
Amen,
I know my mom was standing there, waiting to greet you,
Words cannot express the pain of losing you, sweet momma. I know you are rejoicing in Heaven, looking down on us all. Life will be hard without you in it, but I am assured we will see you again! We will take care of Shelby! Love, Missy
My mother, a homemaker, a sophisticated-attention to detail dresser, a loving mother, devoted to my father through 54 years of marriage, so in love with her grandchildren, her siblings and always telling people the importance of her son’s careers. My mom taught us the power of laughter, at an early age, sitting there in the Branson Mo Presley’s Theatre listening to the comedian Herkemer. She taught us that riding Go-carts, spending countless thousands of quarters in a video arcade (playing super pac-man) and creating incredible memories is something that should be repeated over and over – year after year. She taught us the importance of straight white teeth, but also that eating full bag of Oreo cookies in one setting is ok, live a little, get your cavities fixed. She taught us we need to “slow down” in those countless weekend trips to Lake Carlinville IL,/Norwood Mo to visit our extended family. She etched memories so very deep in my mind. She taught me that spending time around the dinning room table, and serving others, is just the thing to do. Creating memories, she did that so well. She taught me that trusting God, and reading HIs word, I can get you through any of life’s challenges. She taught me that living a life ofgenerosity, pays dividends. She taught me to dress well, have myself together, and never give up.
My mother taught me the power of music therapy, good preaching/teaching and binge eating smashed strawberry’s (with sugar) – and ice cream. She instilled in me that no matter what battles I face, His love, His Power changes everything.
Her ability to capture a conversation, and talk for hours is part of the Raney family genes. She just loved connecting with family and friends in conversation.
Her recent health struggles gave Missy and I the incredible opportunity to be her caretake for her the last 8 weeks of her life. It is hard to put into words those early weeks of CV19 quarantine, my fathers health decline/hospitalization, and the heaviness of our hearts. We made it through though the quarantine period, my father recovered well, and my father and I pulled off a 54 year Anniversary steak dinner in our loft, it was special to see them happy to be together again -and celebrate their very special day. Little did we know what was in store in the weeks to come. We knew my mothers memory struggle since her May 2016 stroke, but we started seeing so many other symptoms that made it hard for her to navigate her daily life and she started to become ambulatory. My mom being here- gave us a quick look at the daily role my father had taken to be her caretaker. She was hospitalized (UTI) Oct 2 and there found out, from the team of doctors, she had a very aggressive form of dementia, Lewy Bodies. My mother taught us to be resilient, so our plan was we would just continue to care for her at home once she was discharged but God had different plans. On the 10-21-20, when the thunderrolled-at-precisely at 2:28a.m., she rolled right into the streets of Gold. It was a moment I will forever cherish and I thank God that this storm will pass, the sun will shine and we will see her again. The storms of this life are not meant to journey alone, my mother taught me that. God was her strength during the stormy season of her life, I think my mother would say to us all, He is our hope, Go Laugh, Eat some good strawberries, take a trip to Branson, Visit family in the Ozarks, sit around the dinner table and etch memories in your minds, relax, sit on the porch swing often, and keep your clothes ironed perfectly.
My mother has been through alot in her life, but it never kept her down. Her May 2016 brain stroke propelled her dementia and ultimately took her earthy life. BUT, I thank God he gave us 4.5 years after that 2016 day, to be with her. I am honored to call her my mother. Devoted, caring, so beautiful and God blessed me (us) with her. I do believe Heaven has someone who can manage the strawberry crop(s). Someone who can manage the fresh bakery good items. Today, I do need really need one of my moms famous medicine cakes, (white cake with jello embedded, nice layer of cool whip and topped with smashed strawberries), that would make things alot better. I wish I had one more night to tuck her in and say a night time prayer with her and listen to her whisper a pray at the same time. I wish I had one more 5 a.m. early morning with her listening to our piano music.
This past Sunday, I sat with my father in church, a question was asked – and it is a question I believe my Mother would have me ask of each of you this evening . Will you trust God now, today, in your everyday life, in all that you are facing? We left church, my father and I window-visited my mom at 9:15 a.m. and we delivered a plaque that says “Because He Lives I can face tomorrow”. The nursing staff agreed that we could talk to her through the partially opened window,we convinced her-to muster-up the strength to blow us a kiss, and then she let out a huge smile. Hearing my father say “you can do it sweetie, blow us a kiss, you can do it, yes you can”.. and she did. Shortly after that kiss, she started crying and of course my dad and I were a mess. My father and I hugged each other, just wishing we could hold her too. We returned that afternoon and noticed that Mothers health continued to decline. Her last eye contact with us – was a 9;15 a.m. kiss, a smile, and the sweetest of tears The following Monday and Tuesday we were able to enter the facility and be with her. That Sunday visit, I feel so strongly that She knew… BUT We didn’t. But we know now, there are no more tears for her. Mom, we celebrate you, we lost you on this earth, but you won the race. I miss you mom and today we celebrate your amazing life! We cry tears of joy! Tears of happiness.
I will always remember Sis. Raney as a joyous person and a faithful follower of Jesus. My heart goes out Bro. Raney and of course to Scott, Brent & Jason. I will be thinking and praying for you guys often in the coming days and weeks.