Rayetta Lynn Calhoun

Lifelong Fairbanksan Rayetta Lynn Calhoun, 40, died July 10, 2012, at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. She was born in the old St. Joseph's Hospital (now Denali State Bank) on Nov. 3, 1971.
She loved all animals and readily doctored many and returned them to the wild. She was always a willing helper to others and never refused, even to her detriment.
Rayetta loved to draw and paint and was an avid collector of Bryer horses and crystal dolphins. As a youth, she enjoyed going to villages where her dad worked and became a local favorite as she learned construction and operated equipment up to a Caterpillar 235 excavator. As did her mother, she loved cooking and worked at Woolworth's Grill, The Sandwich Shop, Sunset Inn Restaurant and worked the register at Emerald isle Pull Tab and McPeaks Grocery.
She attended West Valley High School and Tanana Valley Community College, getting certificates in computer technology and drug and alcohol counseling. She later worked at Ralph Purdue Center as a receptionist.
She attended Graehl Assembly of God church with her parents and was an active member of their youth group, which included the Rev. Jeremy Davis, minister of her service. She loved riding horses and owned several. She loved the outdoors, camping and fishing. She was a member of Intercultural Assembly of God and the Red Cross Disaster Team.
Rayetta's creative spirit, warm smile and generous nature will be missed by all who had the privilege to know her. She always listened without judgment and had friendly advice to give. She always offered her home and food to those in need.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, John and Danalli Calhoun, and their son Jayden Calhoun in Fairbanks; brother Alan Calhoun and sister Dorcas Probst, both of Anchorage; brother Darrin Calhoun, father Dale Calhoun and fiancé Victor Smith, all of Fairbanks. Rayetta was preceded in death by her mother, Joyce.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Aug. 11 at Intercultural Assembly of God at 720 25th Ave. Friends are invited to join the family for a potluck immediately after the service. Come share a warm dish and memories of Rayetta.