Obituary for Joesanne Rayford
Joesanne Rayford, age 44, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away on December 31, 2020.
She was born on November 26, 1976 in St. Louis, Mo., the daughter of George Rayford and Ella Louise Bell. Growing up in St. Louis, Joesanne attended St. Louis Public Schools.
Survivors include her children, Makayla Benson of Kansas City, Mo. and Anthony Smith of Columbia, Mo.; her siblings, Ella Bell Johnson, Jeffery Bell and Angela Wallace, all of Jefferson City, Mo., and Tammy Davies and Raymond Bell of St. Louis, Mo.
Joesanne was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Rayshawn Rayford; and three brothers, Joe Willie Robinson, Erskine Bell and Robert Robinson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Joesanne Rayford Memorial Fund.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.
Reflections from the family
Joann departed this life on December 31, 2020 leaving to mourn, her two sisters, Tammy Davis of St. Louis, Mo. and Ella Bell-Johnson of Jefferson City, Mo; her two brothers, Raymond Bell of St. Louis, Mo. and her brother she loved and kicked it with all the time, Jeffery Bell of Jefferson City, Mo; one daughter, Makayla Benson of Kansas City, Ks; one son, Anthony Smith of Columbia, Mo; special sister-in-law, Angela Wallace; special nieces, Paula Thomas and Latasha Davis of St. Louis, Mo; special nephew, Demetrius Davis of St. Louis, Mo; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.Joann was born with a special gift of always finding the good in everyone and that is what we will always love about you.
Joesanne was born on November 26 to the union of Ella Louise Bell and George Rayford in St. Louis, Mo. Joesanne to some, Joann to some, and JoJo to a lot of others. Joesanne committed to her faith in God at an early age and never lost the faith. Joann was a very giving person, willing to help anyone, especially her family. There was never a day that Joann did not have a smile on her face. Her mom, dad, and son preceded her in life. She hated being here in Jefferson City, but she began to love it. She made many friends here in Jefferson City and enjoyed being here. JoJo you are loved.
My sister was a special person. She never looked at anyone different and she had a heart of gold. I will never forget you JoJo. I’m hurting now, but I know we’ll be together soon. So ride the clouds JoJo because I know you are in a better place. I’m hurting now, but I know Mama has you. I know God doesn’t make mistakes. So ride high and I’ll see you soon.. Love, Jeffrey Joseanne your smile will never lose its shine.
Dear Joesanne,
Though your smile is gone forever and your hand I cannot touch. I still have many memories of the one I love so much. Your memory is my keepsake with which I will never part. God has you in his keeping. I have you in my heart Sadly missed but never forgotten.
Sister
A sister is a precious treasure.
Her love and kindness know no measure.
She laughs your joys and weeps your tears.
The bond grows stronger through the years.
She knows your ups she knows your downs.
She knows your smile she knows your frown.
Your secret she holds just like a treasure.
She builds your confidence with pleasure.
No matter how low, she helps you rise.
No matter how sad, she makes you smile.
No matter how deep, she shares your pain
Remember, it's a sister thing.
She was born on November 26, 1976 in St. Louis, Mo., the daughter of George Rayford and Ella Louise Bell. Growing up in St. Louis, Joesanne attended St. Louis Public Schools.
Survivors include her children, Makayla Benson of Kansas City, Mo. and Anthony Smith of Columbia, Mo.; her siblings, Ella Bell Johnson, Jeffery Bell and Angela Wallace, all of Jefferson City, Mo., and Tammy Davies and Raymond Bell of St. Louis, Mo.
Joesanne was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Rayshawn Rayford; and three brothers, Joe Willie Robinson, Erskine Bell and Robert Robinson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Joesanne Rayford Memorial Fund.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary.
Reflections from the family
Joann departed this life on December 31, 2020 leaving to mourn, her two sisters, Tammy Davis of St. Louis, Mo. and Ella Bell-Johnson of Jefferson City, Mo; her two brothers, Raymond Bell of St. Louis, Mo. and her brother she loved and kicked it with all the time, Jeffery Bell of Jefferson City, Mo; one daughter, Makayla Benson of Kansas City, Ks; one son, Anthony Smith of Columbia, Mo; special sister-in-law, Angela Wallace; special nieces, Paula Thomas and Latasha Davis of St. Louis, Mo; special nephew, Demetrius Davis of St. Louis, Mo; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.Joann was born with a special gift of always finding the good in everyone and that is what we will always love about you.
Joesanne was born on November 26 to the union of Ella Louise Bell and George Rayford in St. Louis, Mo. Joesanne to some, Joann to some, and JoJo to a lot of others. Joesanne committed to her faith in God at an early age and never lost the faith. Joann was a very giving person, willing to help anyone, especially her family. There was never a day that Joann did not have a smile on her face. Her mom, dad, and son preceded her in life. She hated being here in Jefferson City, but she began to love it. She made many friends here in Jefferson City and enjoyed being here. JoJo you are loved.
My sister was a special person. She never looked at anyone different and she had a heart of gold. I will never forget you JoJo. I’m hurting now, but I know we’ll be together soon. So ride the clouds JoJo because I know you are in a better place. I’m hurting now, but I know Mama has you. I know God doesn’t make mistakes. So ride high and I’ll see you soon.. Love, Jeffrey Joseanne your smile will never lose its shine.
Dear Joesanne,
Though your smile is gone forever and your hand I cannot touch. I still have many memories of the one I love so much. Your memory is my keepsake with which I will never part. God has you in his keeping. I have you in my heart Sadly missed but never forgotten.
Sister
A sister is a precious treasure.
Her love and kindness know no measure.
She laughs your joys and weeps your tears.
The bond grows stronger through the years.
She knows your ups she knows your downs.
She knows your smile she knows your frown.
Your secret she holds just like a treasure.
She builds your confidence with pleasure.
No matter how low, she helps you rise.
No matter how sad, she makes you smile.
No matter how deep, she shares your pain
Remember, it's a sister thing.