It is with great sadness that the family of Raymond Anthony Whitfield announces his sudden passing, at home in his sleep, on Friday, December 21, 2018, at the age of 59.

Raymond is lovingly remembered and survived by his wife Annie; his daughter Dayah Davis Jones; grandson Xhyun Jones; mother Iberia Whitfield; sisters Violet Lipford and her husband, Kevin Lipton and their children, nephews Kevin Lipford Jr., Kaylen Lipford and Kameron Lipford; and Yolanda Samadhi; brother Gregg Whitfield; uncle and aunt, Broderick and Wonace Glenn, nieces, Tonya Glenn and Tina Glenn; nephew, Broderick Glenn Jr.; cousin Michael Jackson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Alvictor Sr. and Lese Denton, Marilyn Bailey, Terrie Wheeler, Melba Barron, Wilma Wheeler, William Wheeler, Charles Denton and Charles Wheeler; the children Raymond and Annie raised as their own, Caleb, Anthony, Shanaka, Lamont, Dontelle, Cornelius, De'Angelo and Chiquita and various other extended family and in-laws.

Raymond was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on March 4, 1959.  He attended Iona Preparatory School, in New Rochelle, NY, before joining the Army in 1978.  After an honorable discharge, Raymond explored a few different careers, many related to healthcare, before realizing his calling as a Nurse.

In 1991, with his degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Raymond became a Registered Nurse.  Thereafter, he got his Masters in Nursing at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and practiced as a registered nurse in both Arkansas and Oklahoma.  In addition, for a while he was the director of a nursing home.  Raymond dedicated nearly 30 years of his life to the healthcare of others.

Raymond married Annie Wheeler in 1992 in Little Rock, Arkansas.  They were happily married for 26 years, and he always made her feel deeply loved.

Raymond was a beloved member of the community, and he could regularly be found in the company of others helping with whatever was needed.  As well, he was someone with whom you could always have a good conversation and a laugh.  No one liked a good joke better than Raymond did, and he told those often.  He even liked the bad jokes, and he told those often too.

Raymond had a calm disposition, and was a peacemaker for those who needed it.  He was patient, kind, and humble.  Raymond liked to fish, and enjoyed playing as well as watching football and baseball, at all team levels.  His laughter and joyful spirit will be missed.

Viewing will be held from 4pm – 7pm Wednesday, and 9am – 12pm Thursday, at the Mallett Funeral Home, Wagoner, OK.   Visitation will be held at 12pm – 1pm on Thursday, December 27, 2018, at the Mallett Funeral Home.  The funeral/committal will follow at 2pm, at the National Cemetery at Fort Gibson, OK. Chaplain Stuart Williams will officiate, and military honors will be performed by the Honors Team from Fort Sill, Oklahoma

Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross Association.