- Date Of Birth: April 28, 1923
- Date Of Death: September 9, 2013
- State: Michigan
Rita D. Dunning was born on April 28, 1923, on a farm in Watson, MI, and left this world peacefully on September 9, 2013, in her Delton, MI home. The daughter of Glenn H. Dunning and Elsie Hill, she was raised by her father, Uncle Paul and grandmother Vernola Dunning.
At the age of 14, Rita moved to Kalamazoo to live with her Uncle Sid and Aunt Sally. She joined the Park Street Christian Church now called Christian Church Disciples of Christ and has been an active member throughout her life. As a teen, she worked part-time at Westerville Insurance and graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1942. Rita attended night school to become a legal secretary and was employed by Jackson, Fitzgerald, Dalm, Wheeler, Nims and Sage. She married Richard S. Raynes, her husband of 59 years on January 29, 1954.
Rita attended classes at KVCC, was a successful cosmetologist and business woman. She owned the Ye Colonial Beauty Shoppe for 7 years and worked in and managed other salons. She worked for over 25 years in the business caring for and connecting with people. Rita was an avid reader who was devoted to life-long learning. She directed her abundant energy to a variety of interests. She was a strong individual and leader devoted to causes in support of justice, equality, and those who had less. Rita served her church and community through many volunteer efforts including the Ministry with Community, feeding and providing haircuts for the homeless as well as outreach efforts such as Food Resource Bank.
Reflecting on her own life, Rita wrote, “I loved God, people, learning, tutoring, reading, dancing and just good old-fashioned getting together. I enjoyed good health, coffee, clean sheets, soap, shoes, fishing, politics, swimming, cooking, bowling, chocolate, flowers, birds and other animals and leading discussion class at church. It wasn’t all joyous, but I’m glad I didn’t miss it. See ya later.”
Preceding Rita in death were her dear, sweet son John Charles Raynes JC at age 7; her brother Robert Dunning; and many relatives, friends and cherished pets. Surviving her are her beloved husband, Richard S. Raynes; children Dean Jan Hobbs, Dennis Kathy Hobbs, Kevyn Dawn Raynes, Paul Judah Gesmundo Raynes; nephew Robbie Susan Dunning; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
