Dorothy W. Rhynehardt

Dorothy West Rhynehardt, age 85, was born August 29, 1934 in Davie County, North Carolina, to Edwin Leroy and Mary Ethel West, who preceded her in death. The Lord sent an angel in the morning hours of March 21, 2020 and called her home.

Dorothy (known by many as Mom Rhynehardt) was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, James Edward Rhynehardt, whom she met during high school. Jim and Dorothy were married on August 11, 1952 in Chesterfield, South Carolina. To this union, six children were born. Her first child, James Edward Rhynehardt, Jr., was born in 1953 and with everlasting heartbreak; Dorothy endured her eldest son preceding her in death on May 26, 1972.

Dorothy grew up in the south where gospel music was an integral part of community life. At the age of 8, she accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized in a little creek located in a small country community in Davie County, North Carolina.

She also lived in Winston Salem, North Carolina and served as the musician for the Sunday School at Shiloh Baptist Church. Dorothy moved back to “the country” in her youth and served as a musician for the Cedar Creek Baptist Church (her home church).

During the 1950’s, North Carolina was a favorite place for gospel singers to visit and was known for its family gospel groups. The West and Eaton families had their own family group and Dorothy grew up singing with her mother, sister and aunts in a group called the Cedar Creek Gospel Singers. They sang in churches in and around Winston-Salem.

Dorothy transferred her membership to the Oakley Baptist Church in November 1974 and immediately joined the Wonderful Grace Choir. She has served in various capacities in the music ministry, including Director of the Children’s Choir, Youth Choir, Missionary Choir, Mass Choir and the Christmas Cantata.
A lover of music, her favorite hymn was Blessed Assurance.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;

To say that Dorothy was an excellent cook would be an understatement. Her love and skill for cooking allowed her to bless many. Her favorite holiday was Thanksgiving and she set a spread that could not be rivaled and included everyone’s favorite dish. Mom did not like Facebook but was surprised that so many waited on the annual picture of the table posted by her grandson, Chris. Mom Rhynehardt also prepared many meals and organized cookouts for “those Deltas girls” as she called the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Once even breaking her oven while cooking sixty pound cakes for a Delta fundraiser for Regina.She spent her working years preparing meals for the children in schools operated by Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Dorothy leaves to mourn her children: Deborah Rhynehardt (Henry) Pickens, Sandra Kaye (Timothy) Ragland, Brenda Yvonne Rhynehardt, Kenneth Leroy Rhynehardt (Sherry Hamilton), and Regina R. (Julian) Harper; grandchildren, James Christopher (Terrie) Ragland, Shannon (Beth) Nicholson, William Kenneth (Aria) Ragland, II, Brannon Earl Pickens (Monica Sou), Chantell Ragland, Jamil Salim Pickens, and Knoelle Loren Smith-Rhynehardt; great-grandchildren, James Christopher “JC” Ragland, II, Nia Chanel Ragland, William Kenneth Ragland, III, Braleena Lovella Pickens, Raynon Adele-Marie Pickens, Alexander Lee Ragland, Antonio Desmond Ragland, Alaia Kylen Pickens; brother, Gilbert H. (Connie) West; uncle, Henry P. Eaton; sister/aunt, Betty Jean Eaton; sister/cousin, Ernestine Brooks; her closest extended family Pearle Glasco and daughter, Jasmine Glasco-Armstrong; Erica Grimes and children, Jaden Thompson, Chloe and Sydney Grimes; her Oakley church family and a host relatives and friends.

Dorothy joins her parents, husband James, son James Jr. and her siblings Edwin Jr. and Betty Ruth Morse in that special place, where everyday will be Sunday and Sabbath will have no end. We can see her now, walking around heaven, directing the heavenly choir to ensure three-part harmony, and praising her Savior all the day long.

Visitation 9:00 AM and Funeral Service 10:00 AM Saturday, March 28, 2020 at Oakley Full Gospel Baptist Church, 3415 El Paso Drive. Interment at Green Lawn Cemetery.