Evangelist Ruth Dianne Raynor

Ruth Dianne Watford Raynor, born November 28, 1953, in Bertie County, North Carolina, was the sixth of ten children of James “J.B.” Watford and Ruth Nettie Watford. Raised in the country, she developed a lifelong love of animals, especially horses. She graduated from Bertie High School in 1972, where she was a cheerleader, seamstress, and school bus driver.

Dianne earned an Associate’s Degree in Executive Secretarial Management from Roanoke-Chowan Technical Institute in 1974, delivering the welcome address at graduation. She began her career with Wachovia Bank in Ahoskie before transferring to Raleigh, where she welcomed her first daughter, Vonda. She later joined Stackpole Electronics (now Electroswitch Electronic Products) in Raleigh, retiring in 2017 after more than 30 years of dedicated service.

While living in Zebulon, Dianne built lasting friendships, married, and welcomed two more daughters, Latoya and Nickie. Despite her established life there, she returned to Powellsville nearly every weekend to visit family and worship at her home church, Rountree Temple of Praise, Church of God in Christ International. As a youth, she accepted Jesus Church as her Lord and Savior. Maturing in the work of the ministry, she served faithfully as an executive board member, adult Sunday School teacher, and in numerous leadership roles, including Missionary, Evangelist, and Jurisdictional Supervisor.

In 2011, Dianne married Ervin Wayne Raynor of Colerain. Together they made their home primarily in Colerain while continuing to stay connected to their communities.

Dianne was deeply involved in public service, volunteering for many years with the Wake County Board of Elections, where voters fondly remembered her warm smile and kind conversations. As a devoted member of the Church of God in Christ International, she traveled annually to conventions and convocations, serving as State Mother for the North Carolina diocese and contributing to the Public Relations Committee, Home & Foreign Missions, the Sunshine Band, and the National Women’s Choir.

She enjoyed traveling, shopping, crafting, sewing, hosting yard sales, volunteering at the Bertie County Food Bank, spending time with her daughters and grandchildren, and cheering for the UNC Tar Heels.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers George, Clarence “Boot,” Jefferson, and William “Gig” Watford; and cousin, Darnell Slade.

Dianne is survived by her loving husband, Ervin Wayne Raynor; daughters Sheretta Duvonda “Vonda” Fielder (Ron), Latoya Antoinette “Pumpkin” Watford, and Kristie Nicole “Nickie” Young, Esq.; grandsons Jaiden Person, Abram Fielder, and Keinn Fielder; bonus daughter Josephine Smith (Darrell) and bonus grandson Maurice Jackson-Wynn; siblings Shirley Parker (Thomas), Larry Watford (Betty), Tony Watford, J.C. Watford, and Calvin Watford (Rita); sisters-in-law Carolyn Watford and Bettie Watford (William); cousins raised as siblings—Sue Ware (Eugene), Mike Parker (Amy), Derrick Parker, and Phyllis Jones (Wilbert); uncle Eugene Askew (Joyce); aunt Dorothy Mae Douglas; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Dianne will be remembered for her kind spirit, radiant smile, impeccable style, and steadfast faith. She devoted her life to serving God and others, forging meaningful connections across the country and leaving a lasting impact on all who knew her.

It is the desire of the Raynor family that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

The family of Evangelist Ruth Dianne Raynor has entrusted her final care to C. C. Carter Funeral Home.

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