Elyce graduated from Tuskegee University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and received a Master's of Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley. She worked thirty-six years in the field of nursing, including work as a nurse practitioner.
She received Christ at an early age and God's love was reflected in her love, service and devotion to others. On January 10, 2012, God saw that it was time to call his faithful servant home.
She leaves to cherish her memory, a devoted husband of 31 years, Frederick Rakestraw; sisters, Cynthia Collins and Paulette Ward; Mother-in-Law, Ora Rakestraw; nieces, Patrice Outlaw, Gyynis Hankerson and Rosyln Ward; nephews, Erwin (LaShirl) Hankerson and Eric (Sonya) Ward; brothers-in-law, Louis and Loucious J. Rakestraw; sister-in-law Shirley Rakestraw; and a host of relatives and friends.
Arrangements under the direction of Mount Vernon Memorial Park & Mortuary, Fair Oaks, CA.
