Raechyl and Jayla Blackshear Funeral Expenses

Hello, my name is Valery Myers. My friend Raechyl Blackshear (34) and her daughter Jayla (14) recently passed away suddenly in Anchorage, Alaska. Her family needs help paying for transportation and funeral expenses so they may return the girls to California for services. They haven’t asked us for financial assistance, but we understand the difficulties they may face as they make arrangements for their return. Her friends and coworkers want to help in any way we can because she would have done the same for us.

 

It’s so hard to write about Raechyl and Jayla in the past tense, and so many words come to mind when describing them. “Devoted mother, loyal friend, kind, loving, giving, understanding, trustworthy, funny, smart, life of the party, spicy, fierce, and always hungry” are just a few of the words that come to mind when describing Raechyl.  She was known by those who loved her to wreck a few cars from time to time, and she never turned down a fresh Oreo cookie”.

Jayla was kind, genuine, giving, sweet, and funny, just like her mother, of course. Despite their hardships, they both displayed a deep devotion to family and helping others.

 

The first thing everyone says about Rae, hands down, is her devotion and love for her children. Her whole purpose in life was to make sure her kids had a better life and knew how much she loved them. Please see her interview in the Mountain View Post’s article link from 2016 titled, “They Don’t Know How Much They’re Helping.” Raechyl worked her way through nursing school as a single mother and became a registered nurse, which was the perfect profession because she always went out of her way to help other people. In addition, Rae was protective of her family and friends; even in death, she spent her last days fiercely protecting the ones she loved the most.

 

Raechyl always thought of others before herself and would stop what she was doing to ask you how you were doing despite anything she was going through. Her beautiful smile always lit up the room; she was just as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. As a coworker, Rae was always positive, always running late, and made us laugh. Raechyl had no problem telling you if you were out of line, but she helped you work through it. One coworker commented, “She was a special person, always my go-to to vent without any judgment; also somebody I trusted to tell me what I was doing wrong or right (with my people skills).” She had a profound love for cheesecake, and she would giggle with big eyes when we caught her indulging in her favorite dessert in the corner of the nurses’ station. Raechyl’s previous job as a corrections nurse showcased her ability to deliver compassionate care to people in difficult situations. It didn’t matter if you were an inmate or a civilian; she treated everyone with grace, dignity, and respect.

 

For a 14-year-old, Jayla was wise beyond her years by trying to make a difference in this world. Jayla was the next to the youngest of several brothers and sisters, and she enjoyed having fun with her family. The Begich School Counselor, where Jayla attended school, said the following about Jayla:

 

Jayla’s classmates describe her as a kind and giving person who genuinely cares about others. She was part of the YANA (You Are Not Alone) Club, a group that helps fellow students when they are going through difficult times. She also frequently volunteered her time helping students with special needs. She will be greatly missed by all of us in the Begich learning community.

 

In closing, our community is morning the loss of two beautiful souls that profoundly touched so many lives. We hope to raise enough money to ease one of the family’s burdens from this tragedy, and so we ask for your help in sending Raechyl and Jayla home to California with Raechyl’s parents Jeri and Anthony White. These funds will go directly to Raechyl's parents for funeral expenses. We will start another Go-Fund-Me page for Raechyl’s three surviving children in a few days. Please help us honor our friend while easing the burden on her parents.

 

Thank you so much for anything you can donate. Even if you are unable to donate, please keep  Raechyl and Jayla in your thoughts and prayers. 

Thank you.
Sincerely, Valery, Kilei, Amy, Shawnece, and many countless others that  participated in creating this fund.

 

News article post from 2016

https://mtviewpost.com/2016/10/12/they-dont-know-how-much-theyre-helping/