Rayetta Warnock

The family of Rayetta Ruth Warnock mourns the passing of their beloved family compass on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston. Her family surrounded her in love as she took her rightful place with Jesus, whom she loved endlessly.

Rayetta was born in Princeton, Ind., on June 13, 1961. Her father was a long-haul trucker, so the road took the family to many states, several in which they settled for brief periods, But her childhood memories were most fondly filled with the years she lived in Hazleton, Ind., with her family.

Rayetta moved to Georgia at age 15, residing much of the time in Coffee County, where she worked at various jobs, eventually operating a daycare service. True to form, she treated each of these children as family, alongside her own four daughters.

When she moved from Georgia to Fairbanks, Alaska, in November of 1997, little did she know her soulmate would arrive two months later.

She soon took a job at the Sears store in Fairbanks, where she rapidly became a department manager. In August of 1998, Rayetta met a man whom she charmed immediately and forever. Thus, Rayetta and Keith Warnock were married in North Pole, Alaska, on Feb. 14, 1999. Theirs has been a true love story.

In 2002, the couple and their four girls moved to Lewiston and bought a home to be closer to family, where Rayetta transferred to the Sears store. Meanwhile, Keith’s career in radio led him back to where he started. After the corporate Sears store closed in Lewiston, Rayetta went to work at the local Sears Hometown Store, soon becoming store manager. Before long, Keith joined her as her assistant manager. They worked side-by-side through the second Hometown Store’s eventual closing in 2018. Rayetta then retired after working at the Lewiston Kmart from July 2019 until its closing.

Her family is her world. She’s always made it clear there are no “step” or “half” references in her family — period.

Rayetta: the name means “little ray of light.” Irresistible to people, magnetic to animals, magical with flowers and plants. Every life she touched was made better. Her beautiful eyes, amazing smile, love of laughter and delightful Southern charm leave an indelible impression on everyone she’s ever met. Her sense of humor and her life stories are unforgettable. Her delightful Southern phrases will be repeated in our hearts and homes always.

Miles could never separate us as a family; Ray saw to that. Her phone was always in use. And her home has always been open to those in need. When kids and grandkids need a place to dwell, the big family home is their safe haven.

Rayetta is survived by her husband, Keith Warnock of Lewiston; their daughters: Shelly Dykes and her husband John of Douglas, Georgia; April Hulett of Clarkston; Kimberly Hulett of Lewiston, and Brandy Hulett of Lewiston; by the kids Keith brought with him to the family: Tyler Warnock of Clarkston; Justin Warnock and wife Esther of Lewiston; and Isaiah of Puyallup, Wash.; grandchildren Dylan, Daniel and Dustin Dykes of Douglas, Ga., Autumn Harrelson and her fiance Brandon Heistuman of Lewiston, Blake Hulett of Lewiston, Zoey Brown of Clarkston, Maxx and Vanessa Croft of Lewiston, Kaylee Freeborg, Reyne Lyndon-James, Atticus Salgado and Cassius Salgado of Lewiston; Jackson Warnock and Miles Warnock of Spokane.

She is also survived by her mother, Shelley Waugaman and Shelley’s husband, Bill Waugaman of North Pole, Alaska; sister Sheila Parrott of Kingfisher, Okla., sister Melissa Wallace of Fairbanks, Alaska, and J. R. Wallace of North Pole, Alaska; her uncle and aunt Bill and Dian Hall of Hazleton, Ind.; uncle and aunt Don and Reba Driskill of Vincennes, Ind.; uncle and aunt Robert and Ruth Dent of Patoka, Ind., along with multiple cousins, nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her father-in-law, Doug Warnock and mother-in-law Patsy Adams-Warnock of Prescott, Wash.; brother- and sister-in-law Neil and Peggy Warnock of Bainbridge Island, Wash.; and sister-in-law Kay Warnock of Las Vegas, Nev.

Rayetta was preceded in death by her daddy, Willard Wallace; her brother, Willard “Tiny” Wallace, her brother Charley Wallace, her uncle Sam Dent; her grandparents, Milo and Ruth Dent of Decker, Ind.; her pappy James Hutton of Decker; her biological father Raymond Parrott; and by her mother-in-law Carla Warnock of College Place, Wash.

A family celebration of life has been scheduled.

In our home, Ray has always made love come first and foremost. That love will never be in doubt. No one ever gave better hugs or made you feel more loved.

The entire family will attest that for every day they were together as one, Rayetta and Keith loved one another deeply and unconditionally, and respected each other totally. They will forever be soulmates, as he awaits his day to join her in paradise for eternity.

Until the day we are all reunited, our “LITTLE RAY OF LIGHT” will continue to shine upon us, as we honor her loving legacy forever.

We love you with all our hearts forever, Mama Ray.