Raye Hooks Venable Funeral Costs

A frank message from Dani and Nick...

Family and friends and philanthropic strangers, our saint of a mother Raye Venable went to the ER in July for breathing problems, which opened up a Pandora's box of other major health issues. Almost a full month later, she was discharged into hospice care to live out her remaining days with Nick, with heart failure as the cause leading the pack, and her physical and mental dexterity largely depleted. The emotional costs can never be tallied, though the real-world financial costs are quite tangible, and sometimes extreme. Especially for a proud and strong-willed woman who already stretched herself beyond her limits just to scrape by. 

To ask for help even in a general sense isn't something either of us are all that comfortable with, and the humility doubles when it's a financial issue. (And Mom would be presenting her most aghast face if she could understand what we're asking for.) Such was the need in this case, however, to try and make sure we're able to take care of the majority of the current and future expenses without completely falling behind. And because time is of the essence at this point, with the most awful days coming at any time between now and early September, we felt this might be the least overwhelming way to get some things sorted out. 

Among the things that need sorting out are the funeral home costs, which is what this fundraiser will be used for. The set goal doesn't cover everything, of course, even for someone as provident and economical as Raye. It's not even a feasible goal for us, because we're not asking anyone to empty wallets and pocketbooks, though that's certainly accepted. But our unending gratitude goes to anyone who could find it in your hearts to donate the online equivalent to the change in your cars or beneath your couch cushions. As well as to anyone who just passes this message on, even without donating. 

To briefly mention some of the other costs we're dealing with beyond the funeral home – as not to sound unjustified here – there's the interment and all that entails, as well as everything involving Raye's personal effects. She's still paying off a second mortgage on our family home (that spawned from a frustrating situation beyond her control), and without going into detail, the house and parts of the yard had fallen into complete disarray in recent years, which she'd kept hidden from everyone. It's a similar situation with her vehicle, where both need money, time and effort just to clean them out to the point where they might be salvageable. As well, the mortgage and some of her other finances are still under the name of our father Carl Venable, who died in 2001. So we're having to hire an attorney to help guide us through the process of settling both of their remaining debts. On top of all the more minor goods and services that aren't worth mentioning here. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for taking the time to send your prayers and kind thoughts to our mother Raye during this heartbreaking time. And please know that she would absolutely be just as grateful. Much love to all of you and your families. 

Dani and Nick