Na'Vonnie Ra'Kel Nicole Hughey

HONORING, REMEMBERING AND CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF NA’VONNIE RA’KEL NICOLE HUGHEY

Na’Vonnie Ra’Kel Nicole Hughey was born on March 6th, 2009 in Anchorage, Alaska to DeShawn Nicole Taylor and L.C. Whitlow, III.  She transitioned to be with the Lord on June 6th, 2021.

Na’Vonnie lived in NC, after moving here with her mother many years ago.  She joined Christian Faith Center, in Creedmoor, NC.  She was loved by her church family and enjoyed attending “Kingdom Church” (children’s church).

Na’Vonnie Ra’Kel attended NC schools and was currently in the 6th grade at Turrentine Middle School.  Her favorite subjects were Math and English.  She was a great student.  As one of her favorite teachers, Ms. Shoffner, stated:

    “I had the pleasure of teaching Na’Vonnie during her short time at Alexander Wilson…I wanted 

    to share some of my memories of that sweet girl.  Na’Vonnie was such a joy to teach.  She was 

the embodiment of the perfect student.  Did that mean she was always perfect?  No…but she always strived to do her best…to encourage others and lead by example.  She was kind, intelligent, light-hearted, caring and courageous.  She was always one to share her thoughts and insights with the group.  She was a young lady who was quick to laughter and could make any moment fun and memorable.  I still remember those “heaven cookies” that she loved to bring me.  I could always count on her to include others in whatever she was doing…” 

Na’Vonnie loved to read.  She also loved video games, as well as “Tik-Tok” and “Anime”.   She liked to swim and enjoyed being in or near water.  Na’Vonnie was described as a “T-shirt and jeans” type of girl and her favorite color was purple.  She preferred wearing box braids because she hated getting her hair done.  French fries with lots of ketchup was her favorite food.  Spaghetti was a strong second.  Of course, she also loved her grandmother’s homemade “heaven cookies”. 

Family was very important to Na’Vonnie.  Her older sister, Ka’Niia was extremely special to her.  Ka’Niia was Na’Vonnie’s best friend.  

As her teacher mentioned and so many others confirmed, Na’Vonnie was a kind, quiet, generous and soft-hearted young lady.  She cared for others and was a sweet, kind soul.  Therefore, it is very fitting that Na’Vonnie is caring for others, even in her death.  Na’Vonnie’s organs, including her heart, were donated.  As a result, she has saved five lives.  It warms her family’s hearts to know that her heart beats on.

Na’Vonnie’s memory will live on in the hearts and minds of her mother and step-father, De’Shawn and Cedric Taylor of Burlington, NC; her father, L.C. Whitlow, III of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; her sisters, Kaniia Hughey and Ja’Nea Smith of Burlington, NC; her grandmother, Essie Hughey of Graham, NC; her uncle, Kevin Bullock of Shreveport, LA; two great-aunts, Najen Williams of Burlington, NC and  Lori Hendricks of Norlina, NC; her great-uncle, Larry Hughey of Warrenton, NC; her great grandparents, William and Lula Bullock of Oxford, NC; 3 step-sisters, Arie’Onna, Shaniyah and Caidance; 2 step-brothers, Cedric and Kyrell; and, a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends.

A Private Service was held with family and close friends.

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