Edith Rasberry

Ms. Edith Mae Rasberry, 79, founder and president (retired), Rasberry Bail Bonding Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, went to be with her "Father", very peacefully on Thursday, November 16, 2006 from Metro Health Hospital, Grand Rapids. The daughter of William & Arvie (Stricklin) McKinley, she was born on Oct. 22, 1927 in Fairhope, Alabama. Ms. Edith served the community for over 40 years as the first woman bail bonds person in the United States of America. She was preceded in death by her life partner, Charles Reeves Crutcher; her parents, Arvie and William McKinley Sr.; her son, Theodore Roosevelt Rasberry Jr.; brothers, William X. McKinley and Roosevelt Alva McKinley; sister, Key Lou McKinley. Surviving are sons, Riccardo Lynn & Renee Rasberry, and Theodore Leon & Anna Rasberry; a very dear friend Albert Thomas; twelve grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; three sisters, Rosetta McKinley-Henderson, Maeola McKinley-Dogan, Iberia McKinley; eleven brothers, Roy McKinley, Brady McKinley, Oliver McKinley, Leo McKinley, Jason McKinley, Leonard McKinley, Serlett McKinely, Benjamin McKinley, Harry McKinley, Henry Steverson and Anthony Steverson. Honoring her wishes, private family committal services were held Graceland Memorial Park, Grand Rapids. The family invites friends to please come and join the family in her "Celebration of Life Memorial" being held Friday, November 24, 2006 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Frederick Meijer Gardens 1000 E. Beltline N.E., Grand Rapids. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Edith Rasberry, please visit our flower store.