Obituary for Warnetta May Randall
Warnetta May Randall was born on July 5, 1952, in Liberty, Missouri, to Joetta Bright. Warnetta learned the importance of family, at an early age, growing up on Main Street, in her close-knit family, surrounded by her grandma, siblings, cousins, and aunties. She attended an all-Black school for several years until she entered Liberty Junior High school, at a time when the schools in Liberty began to integrate. She graduated from Liberty High School in 1970. From there, she attended William Jewell College for two years where she displayed an interest in design and cooking.
College was cut short for Warnetta when she ventured out to California for a new life. In California, she supported herself working many jobs to find the one that best suited her. Along this journey, she worked at Cedars-Sinai Hospital, in Los Angeles, where she made many dear friends and met Milford “Slim” Randall, whom she married and started a family. This family extended beyond their children as they also opened their home to nieces, nephews, and anyone needing direction and guidance on their life journey. Warnetta eventually worked for 25 years in the oil and gas industry after she and Slim relocated to Bakersfield, California.
Warnetta loved the Lord and was an active member of St. Luke A.M.E. Church in Liberty from an early age, and later at Cain Memorial A.M.E. Church in Bakersfield. At Cain A.M.E., she served on the Trustee Board, including as Trustee Pro Tem. She also taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Warnetta had a passion for singing and played an active role for over 35+ years in the music ministry as a member of the adult choir, and a director of the Young Adult, and Children’s Choirs.
Warnetta was also a jack of all trades. She could do anything - from fixing a toilet to sewing a wedding dress, reupholstering furniture, baking elaborate birthday cakes, and french braiding hair. She was also an avid traveler having ventured around the world to places such as Italy, England, France, Spain, Brazil, the Caribbean, Canada, and throughout the United States.
Warnetta was dedicated to her family. She treasured her husband and children and embraced every moment with them. She cared deeply for her siblings and her dear friends who were like siblings. She especially loved her role as Granny and Godmother. She had a caring heart and an infectious smile that always made the people around her feel loved and supported. She made friends everywhere she went, and once she invited you to her house you became a member of the family.
On October 21, 2020, the Lord sought favor on Warnetta and called her home. She was preceded in death by her mother, Joetta, and husband, Milford. She is survived by children: Erika O'Bannon (John), Marcus Randall, and Tamika Golden; siblings: Richard Jones (Cidalia), Margaret Hare, Patricia Harris, Pamela Bright, and Wayman Bright; several grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, Godchildren, and dear friends who will cherish her memory forever.
College was cut short for Warnetta when she ventured out to California for a new life. In California, she supported herself working many jobs to find the one that best suited her. Along this journey, she worked at Cedars-Sinai Hospital, in Los Angeles, where she made many dear friends and met Milford “Slim” Randall, whom she married and started a family. This family extended beyond their children as they also opened their home to nieces, nephews, and anyone needing direction and guidance on their life journey. Warnetta eventually worked for 25 years in the oil and gas industry after she and Slim relocated to Bakersfield, California.
Warnetta loved the Lord and was an active member of St. Luke A.M.E. Church in Liberty from an early age, and later at Cain Memorial A.M.E. Church in Bakersfield. At Cain A.M.E., she served on the Trustee Board, including as Trustee Pro Tem. She also taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Warnetta had a passion for singing and played an active role for over 35+ years in the music ministry as a member of the adult choir, and a director of the Young Adult, and Children’s Choirs.
Warnetta was also a jack of all trades. She could do anything - from fixing a toilet to sewing a wedding dress, reupholstering furniture, baking elaborate birthday cakes, and french braiding hair. She was also an avid traveler having ventured around the world to places such as Italy, England, France, Spain, Brazil, the Caribbean, Canada, and throughout the United States.
Warnetta was dedicated to her family. She treasured her husband and children and embraced every moment with them. She cared deeply for her siblings and her dear friends who were like siblings. She especially loved her role as Granny and Godmother. She had a caring heart and an infectious smile that always made the people around her feel loved and supported. She made friends everywhere she went, and once she invited you to her house you became a member of the family.
On October 21, 2020, the Lord sought favor on Warnetta and called her home. She was preceded in death by her mother, Joetta, and husband, Milford. She is survived by children: Erika O'Bannon (John), Marcus Randall, and Tamika Golden; siblings: Richard Jones (Cidalia), Margaret Hare, Patricia Harris, Pamela Bright, and Wayman Bright; several grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, Godchildren, and dear friends who will cherish her memory forever.