Raye Sechrest Snell

Raye Sechrest Snell, 88, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, October 6, 2025, with family by her side.

Raye was born in Lexington, NC on March 17, 1937, to the late Ray Franklin Sechrest and Cleora Roberts Sechrest. She grew up in Lexington with her parents, her sister Nancy, and her cousin Tillie Beck. She graduated from Lexington Senior High School with the class of 1955. She then completed her Bachelor of Arts in Education at the University of North Carolina in 1959. She taught English in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Atlanta, GA before settling down in Canton, GA where she retired from teaching to raise her two children.

Raye lived a life rooted in faith and family. She loved Jesus with all her heart and her approach to life can best be described through His words in Matthew 22:37-40: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." She lived this out in countless ways, starting with her absolute devotion to her children and her grandchildren.

As a founding member of the New Covenant Bible Church, she loved the Lord with "all her mind." An avid student and teacher of Scripture, she led the women's bible study for over 30 years. Raye was a talented vocalist who sang in her church choir and was renowned for her rendition of "O Holy Night!" in their annual Christmas service.

Raye "loved others" through her activity in the Service League of Cherokee County, delivering food to those in need with Meals on Wheels, working at the polls on election days, beautifying Canton as a member of the Etowah Garden Club and offering care on mission trips to Africa and Central America.

She had a heart for people and enjoyed spending time with them whether playing golf with the ladies at the Canton Golf Club, playing tennis on ALTA teams, singing with the Cherokee Chorale, enjoying meals with friends in Without Reservations, and playing bridge as part of several bridge clubs.

Raye was passionate about painting in her later years, continuing to learn and grow. In addition to golf and tennis, as an avid sports fan, she loved watching college football and basketball, especially her beloved North Carolina Tar Heels and Georgia Bulldogs. She also enjoyed travel, both domestically and abroad, including her favorite trips to Israel, Safari in Africa, and Alaska.

Raye will be fondly remembered for her warmth and kindness and for the way she lived her life with contentment and gratitude. She was truly a sweet lady. She was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Whether it was caring for her children and grandchildren, lending a listening ear to a friend, sharing the gospel with someone seeking, or preparing wonderful home cooked meals, Raye loved well and was well loved.

Raye's surviving family includes her daughter Andrea Moyers (Jason); son D.J. Snell, Jr; grandsons Grant Moyers (Lauren), Jackson Moyers, and Jacob Moyers.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 2 p.m. at New Covenant Bible Church, 1095 Scott Road, Canton, GA. The family will receive friends immediately following the service during a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church at the address above.