Raynetta Mayes Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Raynetta Norletta Mayes was born on August 07, 1959, in Saint Louis, MO to the union of Raymond & Celestine Swinney, Jr. She was the second child born of 11 children to this union. Raynetta “Ray Ray” attended Saint Louis Public Schools. She excelled in her academics and in 1977 she graduated from Central High School. She furthered her education later at Forest Park Community College. It was at the young age of 19 that she began her employment with Dimac Direct. Working in the direct mailing and marketing industry she created life-long friendships with so many of her co-workers. Some of these friendships lasted over 40 years. Raynetta was a dedicated employee. She was known to many as Ray Ray, Ms. Ray, Mama Ray. She impacted the lives of all those she met with her sweet spirit and beautiful smile. She later married Nathaniel L. Simms and from this union, 2 children were born, Natisha and Jessica Simms. Raynetta was a very exceptional and loving mother. She was truly selfless, devoted and compassionate. She was definitely Heaven sent. Her girls were her everything. They shared a rare bond that went beyond just mother and daughters. This bond was one in a million. Raynetta was a true Woman of God and a Woman of faith. At a young age, she was a faithful member to the church and even taught Sunday School. She later came into Holiness at Lively Hope Church of God, where she then was baptized in Jesus’s name and filled with the Holy Ghost. As she walked with God, she was then called to preach and became a minister of the gospel. She then followed her daughters to Lighthouse Apostolic Ministries and served as a minister, Sunday School teacher and on the Pastor’s Aide. In 2016 she then married Alfred Mayes. She was a devoted wife who loved to travel. A host of love ones proceeded her in death; her grandmother Arleaf W. Poplar, her father Raymond C. Swinney, Jr., her brother Andre Swinney, her grandson Brian Emmanuel Miller, and her nephew Christopher Reed. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband Alfred Mayes. Her 2 daughters Natisha Wilson (Jason, Sr.) and Jessica Miller (Brian, Sr.) and 3 stepdaughters Amanda Bass (Lorenzo), Alnisha Mayes & Amy Mayes. Her mother Celestine Swinney and 6 sisters and 3 brothers Marcietta (Richard, Sr.), Charmaine, Joffre (Kay Lois), Arleaf (Michael), LeTorre, Kimmer, Zenja (Julius), Vowlinda (Lorenzo) and Willie James (Kelli) and Cortez (Robin). In-laws being Shaun (Thea Nikki), Michelle, Raymond, John & James. Her grandchildren as follows: Briannah, Julia, Natalie, Brian Jr., Bishop and Jason II (Jase) including Semaj, Keion and Alisa and a countless number of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles and friends including her dearest friend Autrie Dockett.

Raynetta Mayes

August 7, 1959 - February 2, 2020