Rayma Sue Pilkenton

Rayma Sue Pilkenton passed away on December 26, 2025, at the age of 70 years. Nana, as she was known, to the younger generations that held a permanent place in her heart, was born on September 27, 1955, to Raymond Austin and Donna Sue (Peck) Severs in Stella, Missouri.

Rayma graduated from East Newton High School in 1973. She worked at Big Smith and La-Z-Boy before she found a long-term career with MODOT driving a dump truck, then settled into a cozy office position where she met and made very dear friends. After her retirement from MODOT, she worked at Hollywood Movie Theater, then Brunner Fabrication, both for many years, and as an Intake Coordinator for Freeman Hospital. She spent her remaining workable months as a greeter at Wal-Mart. She became a Foster Parent in the early 2000's and provided a home for several children in need of her love and care. Later in life, she began attending Racine Christian Church where she found a group of likeminded believers.

She enjoyed the simple pleasures in life like getting her nails done, completing puzzles, or reading a good book, especially a mystery. To her friends, Rayma, would gift handmade latch hook rugs, and she loved to spoil her grandchildren and great grandbabies in every possible way. In her younger years, she was quite a bowler. She and her league could be found at the old Edgewood Bowling Alley in Neosho. She loved going out to eat for her birthday or taking a trip to Branson. She treated her grandchildren to tickets at Silver Dollar City every chance she could. While in Branson, she enjoyed attending the shows, in particular Dixie Stampede and Acrobats of China.

She was a strong and fearless woman who never missed an opportunity to help out her family. Nana always made sure her grandchildren had everything they needed, from plenty of groceries, to new work shoes. She knew money could be tight and never wanted them to do without what they may need or want. She loved taking Donna to Wal-Mart to get more toys, clothes, and shoes than she could ever ask for. She sent Ronin plenty of toys and books, and made sure his birthdays and Christmases were everything he could imagine.

Rayma is survived by her siblings Randy (Misty) Severs of Granby, Roland (Shaun) Severs of Stella, Missouri, and Regena Farley of Neosho, Missouri; daughter, Candy Sue Pilkenton of Galena, Kansas; three grandchildren, Brianne Pilkenton of Delta, Colorado, Leanne Pilkenton of Joplin, Missouri, and Tristen Kittrell of Galena, Kansas; and 3 great grandchildren, Donna Jarrett, Ronin O'Neal, and a great grandson due to arrive in May of 2026.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Services are pending.

Services are under the personal care and direction of Clark Funeral Homes.

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