JoAntha Raines

This is the day the Lord has made we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

JoAntha Raines 62 of Benton Harbor, MI departed this life on December 13, 2020, in St. Joseph, MI.  JoAntha Denise Smith-Raines was the oldest daughter of the late Maxine Turner-Kelly she was born March 8, 1958, to the union of Willie S. (Pokey) Kelly and Maxine Kelly. JoAntha is the wife of the late Ronald Raines. 

Joantha dedicated her life to the Lord she joined Word of Truth Deliverance Church on August 18, 2002, she was baptized under the leadership of Bishop James Hightower.

JoAntha was a fashionista, a top model a diva, and the world was her runway. If you ever met her she left a lasting impression, whether it was her impeccable sense of fashion or infectious smile. Her children were her pride and joy she loved her grandchildren. She loved her people, she loved to talk, and she enjoyed life. 

JoAntha was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She stayed in California and Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Atlanta GA. She loved to travel, and she loved to smile.

She leaves to cherish her memory her father Willie (Beverly) Kelly her daughter Ya’nesha Smith, her son Yuri Smith of California, Che Eddie Sr of Benton Harbor, sisters Cassandra (Randy) Kelly-Jones of Benton Harbor, Willa Kelly of Atlanta GA, Regina Kelly, Kimberly Kelly, and Michelle Anderson of Grand Rapids, MI, Roshanna (Bryan) Williams and Tabitha Kelly of Benton Harbor, LaVeeda Smith Colston of TX, brothers Michael Gray, Darien Kelly of Denver, CO. 
Grandchildren Yasmine (Kaleel) Moss, Ja’nyla Adams, Tanaisa Washington, Yuri Smith Jr, Yuriah Smith.

A host of uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.

Her sisters in Christ Juanita Gibbs, Gail Burkes, Tiffany Beene, and Geraldine Thomas, best friends Glenda Bell, Marshell Booker, and Mosella Maye

She is preceded in death by her daughter JoAndra Smith, husband Ronald Raines, her mother Maxine Turner-Kelly, grandmother Mattie Turner, Maydie Kelly grandfather Zelma Turner Louis Smith, Sherman Kelly, brothers Gregory Kelly, Thaddues Bowman Kelly, Thaddeus Bowman Kelly, sisters Ebony Kelly, grandson Elijah Boyd, great-nephew, Karlos Kelly. Aunt Rosalis Delaveaux, Diane Woolfolk, and Gene Earl Beene.

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