Joni Denise Raley, 59 of Bellevue, TX went home to be with the Lord on Friday, March 8th, 2024 in Henrietta, TX.
Graveside services will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 16th, at Buffalo Springs Cemetery.
Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 15th, at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie, TX.
Joni Denise Raley was born to Mary and Raford Raley in Dallas, TX on April 7,1964. She was raised in Buffalo Springs, TX and graduated from Bellevue ISD in 1984. Joni was often recalling stories of her past, of her classmates, and the love she still kept in her heart for each and every one. To know her was to love her. She had a servant’s heart. She loved Jesus and she loved her family. Joni was always known for having a pet or two around to give her love and attention to.
She was the greatest baker and tea maker, and was recruited often for her Dishpan cookies. If you were around her she was your boss. The Mother Hen of our very large brood, but she was also spoiled rotten by every member of our family. Joni loved her sports and knew every detail of Dallas Cowboy football, and Texas Ranger baseball. If you needed any stats she had them all stored up and ready to go. Music was also a very large part of her life. She often volunteered to run the projector for the music at the church she was attending. She loved a good concert, and to travel. She loved Garfield and Friends, shopping sprees with the girls, a good meal, weddings, babies, Christmas, and she never stopped believing in her Santa Clause. Joni was innocent, pure, and a blessing to all of those who knew her.
That being said Joni was not the biggest fan of frogs, or of pranks. To be honest that’s the only time you would ever hear her utter a curse word. (Deep down she enjoyed having the boys of our family pester her a little.) She did however enjoy a dip in a pool or to get her feet wet in the ocean. She was also sometimes known as a little thrill seeker. She enjoyed every single roller coaster at Six Flags Over Texas and could stay there from open to close. If you were going on a trip anywhere, you better believe she was waiting for her invitation to go (and you best believe she got them.)
Joni was born living on 1/4th of one kidney, she was never expected to live a long life but she proved the Doctors wrong time and time again. Joni defied the odds through multiple surgeries somehow surpassing every obstacle and statistic placed over her life. She was the epitome of a warrior! Joni had been on dialysis for 12 plus years, and had made several friends and stolen several hearts at Fresenius Kidney Care in Wichita Falls, TX.
It’s bittersweet for us all to have to say goodbye to our Earthly Angel, but we know in our hearts that she is in Heaven rejoicing with Jesus, and her family!
She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Maryann and JD Clark; her mother, Mary Musgrove; two brothers, Jeff Raley and Rick Raley; sister, Jerri Raley; niece, Daisy Raley; nephew, Aaron Raley; and several other beloved family members.
Joni is survived by her siblings, Misti Orton and husband Billy Orton of Bellevue, Alvis Pryor of Bowie, and Leah Pryor of Erick, OK; sister-in-love, Peggy Raley of Bowie; stepfather, Ralph Musgrove of Buffalo Springs; and multiple nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie, TX.