Ms. Raynetta Patrice Speed

SPEED, Ms. Raynetta P. - Age 73, passed away Thursday, October 31, 2024, at Henry Ford Providence in Novi, MI. Family hour 10:00 AM Friday, November 8, 2024, at Vernon Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 5802 Dupont St., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM, Pastor Wallace Hill III, Eulogist, Pastor Douglas Banks, Host Pastor, Rev. Helen Williams, officiating. Interment, Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the Church 10:00 AM Friday. Ms. Speed will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home and may be viewed from 1:00 PM-6:00 PM Thursday, with family present to receive friends from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM. Ms. Raynetta Patrice Speed was born on February 3, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents were John R. Speed and Annie L. Speed. Raynetta was a lifelong member of Vernon Chapel A.M.E church where she accepted the Lord at an early age, lived virtuously, and Christlike. She was Steward Emeritus most recently and the President of the Unique Usher Board. Previously, she co-led Vernon’s Young People’s Department (YPD) and served as a Young Layman during her youth. She graduated from Flint Northwestern High School in 1969. Raynetta worked for General Motors (GM) for 31 years and was an active UAW member of Local 651. Throughout and following her career at GM, Raynetta was an energetic community member supporting candidates and encouraging residents to vote in local and national elections. She loved the city of Flint and supporting residents, business owners, and youth. Her interests in political and social causes and helping the community inspired her to pursue a county commissioner seat. She was elected to the Genesee County Board of Commissioners for District 1 and held the seat from 1996-2008 while also serving as Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission Commissioner. Raynetta served three terms as Vice Chair of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners, Chair of Joint Governmental Operations and Finance Committee, and Genesee County Community Mental Health Board of Directors. In 2009, Raynetta joined the Genesee County Land Bank as a Community Outreach Coordinator and later transitioned to the Community Relations Manager. Raynetta was a tireless, passionate advocate, change agent, connector, community leader, pioneer, problem solver, and relationship builder. She devoted her time to numerous entities including, Cranbrook Cooperative Effort as Chair, Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission, and the New McCree Theatre as President from 2004-2008. Raynetta’s vision to revitalize the city of Flint resulted in the establishment of the Greater Beecher Business District, the African American Heritage Collaborative-Genesee County, and the Genesee County Government Black History Month Program. At the time of her passing, Raynetta served as Vice Chair of the Genesee Health System Board of Directors, Chairperson of the GCCARD Advisory Board, and a Commissioner of Genesee County’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission. Raynetta embraced continuous learning. She completed a Biblical curriculum at Ecumenical Theological Seminary. Raynetta received her associate’s degree from Mott Community College and was a graduate of Leadership Flint. Most recently, she was enrolled at the University of Michigan-Flint where she was only a few classes away from completing her bachelor's degree. Raynetta was recognized for her service across many organizations including, Genesee County African American Heritage Committee Award (2008), Flint/Saginaw Odyssey House, Inc. Community Advocate Award (2008), Mott Community College Distinguished Alumni Award (2012), Resource Genesee Sybyl Award Nominee (2014), The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. National Sojourner Truth Award (2014), and Spirit of Excellence Award for dedication to women in excellence. Raynetta wouldn’t admit it, but she was indeed a Creative. She enjoyed developing new ideas and content for the E. Bishop & E. Flint Park Block Club newsletter, Around the Block, decorating spaces in her home, planning family milestone celebrations, and knitting beautiful hats, wrist warmers, and scarves. If you had the pleasure of seeing her handwriting, you saw how the letters danced and twirled. She had the most graceful and beautiful handwriting. Raynetta had an eye for elegance and a requirement for attention to detail and quality. She enjoyed handmade and luxury skincare, making gourmet recipes with her daughters, and visiting fine yarn retailers. Raynetta was fond of eclectic and fine jewelry and could be found most days adorned in either. She was a huge fan of Tom Selleck and Motown music. Raynetta demonstrated love through thoughtful gestures and acts of kindness. She was a regular customer at Hallmark stores purchasing cards to share with her loved ones throughout the year. Raynetta’s love was without borders in that everyone within her reach and beyond felt her compassion and kindness. She did not wait to be asked for help. She was always a step ahead, ensuring that everyone would be supported. Raynetta was also a pet lover. She cared for her late dogs Mikko and Leo with an abundance of love and tenderness. They were her loyal companions always at her feet. It is impossible to convey the magnitude of the loss we feel in these moments. We already miss the softness we felt when holding her hand, the sound of her voice, the energy in her good morning calls or texts, and her trademark expressions that made her uniquely funny. She was needed and skilled in so many areas, but she was mama first and foremost. Raynetta Patrice Speed leaves to cherish her memory: two daughters, Kim Fowlkes of Flint, MI, and Katrina Fowlkes of Tomball, TX; former spouse and forever friend, Bobby L. Fowlkes Sr.; step-son, Bobby L. Fowlkes Jr. (Traci); granddaughter, Kennedy Speed-Fowlkes; great-grandson, Elijah Towner; sister, Wyniece Speed-Harris (Dr. Michael Harris) of Bowie, MD; brothers, Fredric Speed of Flint, MI, and Keith Speed (Anetta) of Westerville, OH; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues, and friends, including very dearest of friends Reverend Helen Williams, Mrs. Reta Stanley, and Dr. Karen Weaver. A special thank you to the hospital staff at Henry Ford Genesys Grand Blanc for their compassion, concern, and swiftness. A very special note of gratitude to the staff at Henry Ford Providence Novi, Chaplin Shaun Overstreet Gardner, RT Jenn, Neuro and Medical ICU nurses Steve, Casandra, Cassie, Lexi, Jeff, Kari, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician’s Assistants. Expressions of sympathy can be made in the form of flowers or donations to The New McCree Theatre Flint, MI. https://www.thenewmccreetheatre.com Her home going service of celebration will be live streamed on: Facebook live at: vernonchapelchurch.com.

Ms. Raynetta Patrice Speed

February 3, 1951 - October 31, 2024