I had the honor of working with Stephanie at Greenwood Elementary at the start of my teaching career. Stephanie was the most brilliant and inspiring mentor I’ve ever had. Her true and genuine love for learning, teaching and people were contagious. She gave everything she had to those of us lucky enough to work with her, but still modeled how important her number one priority was - her family. She really did it all! She continues to inspire me and always will. A few days after hearing this heartbreaking news a hummingbird rested on our deck. I looked up the meaning behind the hummingbird. It symbolizes joy. It also said it was a reminder to live life to the fullest and enjoy the simple pleasures in life. I’m convinced it was a message from Raby. Sending all my love and prayers to her family. Love you Raby!

It’s taken me a while to write this …Stephie Mama , as we call her from Tusculum soccer, was one of the most outgoing, fun , loving, kind~hearted , giving of self  woman of God. She showed us how to be a mom (thank you Cameron ) and juggle life, be a wife(thank you John) , a great student,  give it all out on the soccer field , even pregnant ( thank you  Blake,), and be a friend to all.  She showed us how to entrust her kids to the Lord letting them travel to foreign countries (thank you Johnna).  She shared her home and all she had, especially her beloved family. She was one of my favorite people that walked on this earth. She now walks in heaven , but her legacy of love, compassion , and the joy of giving will always go on.  Until we meet again at the gates of heaven…I love you and I’ll always be grateful for your friendship :)

I met and worked with Stephanie at Greenwood and Rainier Elementary on JBLM.  When I first met Stephanie I was a parent volunteer and Para. I was enrolled in my Master’s program for Education and she motivated and supported me to become a teacher. She helped me study and provided me with resources to pass the West E. She even held a mock interview to help me prepare for interviews. That was Stephanie, always going above and beyond. She never made me feel like a burden and I knew that she genuinely cared about me. The passion she had for education was contagious.  My first year teaching, I saw her at the new teacher training and broke down crying, she hugged me and told me to give myself permission to make mistakes. She made me feel so much better and I will always remember her support and guidance. I am beyond heart broken to hear of her passing and I know how much she loved and adored her family. She will be missed beyond words. I know she is a beautiful angel watching over us now. 

Steph- You don’t know how much you supported and helped me through tough years learning to be a good principal, supporting my staff, and guiding us all through a path of love and focus on our kids! Your time, caring, and candor continue to guide me through the toughest moments! You are a bright light and the embodiment of hope! I miss you my friend!

Momma Raby was a true rock for her family and the brightest ray of sunshine. She was one of the strongest women I’ll ever know. She loved so fiercely and with such an open heart, it was impossible to not feel truly cared for when she was around. I had the honor of meeting Stephanie and John after becoming friends with Blake and Cam in high school, and later continuing my relationship with the Raby family by coaching J Rhea. I will forever miss sitting in the kitchen making sweet tea with everyone, talking about work, school, and soccer with Miss Stephanie. I loved having heart-to-hearts in her (amazing) backyard, about her babies and the lives they were creating. The love and pride she had for everyone in her family will always be so inspirational. Miss you always Momma 

I lived next door to Stephanie’s family at Ft Campbell.  I remember her and John dating.  So young but knew they would be together a life time.  They made each other happy.  I remember them going to soccer games, football games, helping her momma with her in home childcare , being so proud of her daddy when he came home from Desert Storm, and going to prom.  So glad Facebook came around so I could reconnect with her and see how her love for John and her family grew.  She was so in love with each of them in their own way…and loved being a grandma!  So proud of the lady you grew up to be!  You touched so many people.  Love you lady!  

Stephanie was my mentor my first year teaching. I always looked forward to her visits in my classroom. I never felt pressure or judgment, just supported and loved. She’d come in, drop all her bags, take off her shoes, sit on the floor and we would just talk - about anything and everything. She’d leave me little notes and special surprises. She encouraged me on hard days and showed me ways to make my life easier when everything felt overwhelming. I’m so glad she was my person through it all. She taught me so much about picking and choosing what to focus on, figuring out priorities and the importance of balance… between teaching and life outside the classroom. Each year I got a little better about not staying so late… 

One thing I knew right away about Stephanie was how much she loved her family. During our time together her husband had already moved to their next location (military life) and she was staying one more year so her youngest could finish her last year of Highschool. By the end of that year Steph was sooo ready to be with her hubby! They had one of those #relationshipgoal romances. It was so sweet the way she would gush about him and their three awesome kids, I felt like I knew them even though we had never met. Fast forward and add grandkids to the mix…. she loved her grandbabies somethin fierce. In addition to being an amazing teacher, a strong athlete and a loving friend, I always enjoyed seeing her FB posts in her most cherished roles as wife, mom and grandma. 

Steadfast in her faith and with a love for people - her kindness touched countless lives. Stephanie, you are SO loved and will be deeply missed… thank you for everything. 💗

I only got to know Stephanie for a little amount of time, but she was a pillar of strength. My wife and I were remembering our visit with her and John at our work Christmas party and about how she was so excited to get a new phone because her phone was literally being held together by her phone case. Stephanie was animated in all things she did, her smile would light up the room, she always had the most classy shoes and was a joy to work with. Stephanie is greatly missed at Cynthia Cunningham by her students and myself as well. My God Bless you and yours, Cynthia & Dee Napolitano-Kraxberger

Stephanie was one of those great humans that existed! Her hugs always came at the right time and she always knew what to say❤️ She will be forever my friend!!! No matter how far away she is! Heaven definitely gained one of the best!!! Love her so much!!! 

November 15, 2017 at 10:44am. Hi!  This is Cooper, your new sidekick!🥰. That was the start to our beautiful connection. 
I am so very blessed to have had Stephanie Raby come into my life. She had a profound impact on me, both personally and professionally. The years we had together were filled with laughter, commiserating, holding each other up during tough times, celebrating good times and successes, lifting spirits when needed,  and lots of hugging and FaceTime.  I know it’s very selfish of me to want her here, but she is in a far better place. She had a way of putting things into perspective and offered her advice, her shoulder and a listening ear whenever needed. I am forever changed by her presence in my life and will gladly suffer her loss for having had the time I did with her. So I’m going to breathe in Jesus and breathe out Satan, I know I can do hard things, she said so, and I know that I will always love and cherish Stephanie Raby for all the rest of my days on this earth. Until we meet again my beautiful friend. 

Never knew Stephanie except thru Mike Stewart who loved her dearly. He kept me updated thru her illness. Our sympathy  and prayers to entire family.       Sam and Rosa Johnson, Summerville, SC.      Friends of Mike and Kathy          

Stephanie,
I wore yellow for you today at work. Within minutes of arriving to my classroom, a young teacher came to me in tears with a problem. I thought, "What would Stephanie do?" You were with me in that moment. You have been so affective and loved in your too-short life. Love you and miss you! Jessica Strand- Carter Lake Elementary JBLM, Washington

Cousin love .. they all surprised me for my birthday 🥰

I believe it was around 2008 that I first met Stephanie. Her family was back at Ft Campbell for a brief time; she taught across post and was DODEA Teacher of the Year, while I taught JRhea in PE at Jackson Elementary (Stephanie’s former childhood school) during JRhea’s 5th grade year. We had a connection and ironically enough realized a greater coincidence with my hometown of Greeneville, TN being that also of her husband’s family. We discovered that back in the early 90’s when I went off to college to play basketball elsewhere, she and John came to Greeneville to play soccer at Tusculum. We learned that we knew a lot of the same people. Yet, our paths did not come full circle until meeting at Ft Campbell.

Fast forward to the summer of 2010 when my husband was working at JBLM. I flew out there for a week. I went to the gym and who did I run into? Stephanie! I ended up having lunch with her and JRhea before she went to Hawaii to visit her in-laws. We had lost touch before this chance encounter, but we vowed to stay connected after our reunion of fate.

My husband and I are full-time RV’ers. In 2018, we were out West. He had a work trip to Okinawa for a month in January and asked where I wanted to go? I said,”Take me to Vegas so I can hang out with Stephanie.” We got together several times. She took me to dinner for my birthday, had me over to her house a couple of times, and showed me all around her community. She was so welcoming.

She sent a card when my beloved cat died in August 2019. That was Stephanie- so thoughtful! I was hoping to link up with her again this year. She had been on my mind and I was about to call her when I learned of her illness. I now regret not making that call earlier. I hope she knew how much I loved her. Steph, you were definitely one of the good ones! To paraphrase a quote from Shawshank Redemption:

“Some birds are not meant to be [in this world], that's all. Their feathers are too bright, their songs too sweet and wild.”

So glad we got to do this .. what a great memory I will always cherish .

My sweet beautiful cousin .. I will love and miss you forever .. I’m not good with words but I know you hear me .. thank you for your love and memories we have shared .. till  we meet again and I can wrap you in my arms .. love you so much !

It is obvious in reading all of the posts that Stephanie played a big role in many lives!  I met Stephanie and John in college when they can to Tusculum for school and to play soccer.  She was a leader from the start!  They had their first child not long after starting at Tusculum, but that did not stop them from attending school and staying on the soccer teams.  We were co-captains of the soccer team my senior year.  She was always respected by her teammates as a leader, friend, and player.  We called her Stephie Mama due to having the baby, but in many ways she was like a Mama to us all.  My heart hurts for her family during this time.  She will be missed by many!  Keeping you all in prayers as you travel down this difficult road!

From the moment I heard her speak in an interview at RTES, Steph's radiant, sweet Southern energy drew me in. What was not to love? Over the years she guided me back to church, cheered on my children, and filled "my bucket" with hugs that spoke right to your heart. She had a way of making each person, both kids and adults alike, feel special in the most genuine way. She went out of her way more times than I can count to help a student, staff member, or random person in need without seeking recognition. She provided furniture, car rides, hospital visits, cheering at student sporting events, prayers, gifts for an entire family, amazing tips, after hours teaching, shoes, beds, clothes, support galore...this list could go on, and on! That's just who she was to her core. Countless people have benefited from her kindness, generosity, wisdom, and love like Jesus spirit.  Earth's tragic loss is truly heaven's gain. Until we meet again, I love you more!

Stephanie was my mentor during my first year of teaching, in Washington. The school was closing because it was overcrowded, and the building was condemned because it was directly in the flight path of JBLM. My number of students that year fluxuated between 28 and 42. Half the staff had already transferred, and our principal was new. It was chaos. But Stephanie - Stephanie met with me regularly, observed my class, and gave me *and* that ever-changing number of kids some structure. She knew who I was, what I was doing, and how I was struggling. She helped me. At one point, I wanted to improve on teaching during a literacy block. She found me several model teachers in the district to observe, meet with, and learn from. She drove me there, and debriefed with me afterward. She observed my lessons and helped me find places to integrate what we had seen. When that nightmare year was over, she helped me find my next placement, doing everything she could to ensure it was a school that aligned with my philosophy and strengths. My next placement was the best school I have ever been a part of. And to this day, I use what I learned from those literacy teachers. But even more I use what I learned from Stephanie.

Stephanie, you changed my life. Not just because you gave and helped me accquire much-needed teaching advice! You saw me. Each time we met together, you were in the moment, not doing another task on the side or thinking about something else. You were, in that year, the one person I could talk to. And when I talked you listened. Really, actually did, and you did something about it. Your way of mentorship and care has made a daily difference in my life and it is something I seek to echo every day.

Thank you, for all of the time and thought and energy you poured into me as an educator and a person. Thank you for sharing so much. Thank you for the empathy and passion you have. You have changed me. And you have mattered long after we hugged and said goodbye.

Raby- you were one of the most selfless people I’ve ever met. You made the world such a beautiful place and changed so many peoples lives. Thank you for being a mentor, a work mom, a sister, and a best friend all in one. There aren’t enough words or ways to describe how much you will be missed, I love you 🤍

Steph was an amazing human being! Not only was she our daughter in law but we loved her like she was our daughter! We couldn’t be more proud of all her accomplishments with her family, work, sports, but also her deep faith with Christ! She was full of life, fun loving, and brought out the best in everyone. She was always the first to volunteer to help with someone in need, setting the example for all to follow to be selfless in service. I can’t begin to describe how much we will miss her, but know we will see her again! She will forever live in our hearts!

We are so sorry for the death of Stephanie.  She was such a sweet lady.  Love and prayers for all of you.  
With our love and deepest sympathies,
Lyle and Becky West

It was a pleasure getting to work with Stephanie this year at Cunningham.  She will be dearly missed.  She had a strong passion for learning and helping all the kiddos!  God bless you all ,and I am truly sorry for your loss.

This isn't so much a memory as it is an observation / testament to Steph or Raby (depends on the situation).  I had the pleasure of being an instructional coach with her in the Clover Park School District (JBLM). She became one of an elite group of women I consider my work wives (the picture).  As I have cried along with everyone else remembering her, I can't help but notice a common thread.  
In a time where people talk about living an authentic life, Raby has clearly done that from the start.  No matter what memory you read or story you hear from someone, they all match.  From the people who knew her in school, to those who knew her as a military wife, to those who taught with her, she was the same person.  We all carry with us the fondest of memories and they all have a common thread.  Raby was nothing but love.  She would stop at nothing to do whatever was needed for whoever needed it.  She lived by example and never wavered from it.  If we gathered everyone she touched from around the globe, no one would feel alone or out of place, they would feel a bond and a connection to complete strangers simply because they knew her.  This is her legacy. Authenticity-Love-Compassion-Connection.  She truly was a blessing on this world - just ask around - there's plenty of people who will tell you the same thing!

Stephanie Raby was such an amazing person. I met her at the pool and she helped teach me how to swim. She was an incredible swimmer. She was such a kind person, always smiling and upbeat. She was the kind of person everyone wants around, as she always made you smile. She loved her family so much. She would talk about them all the time. She was so proud of her daughter Johnna and everything she had accomplished with school and sports. She loved her grandkids so much and she just seemed to light up whenever she was around them or talked about them. She seemed loved by all her students and fellow teachers. I know she wanted many more years left with her family. But I do know the years she did have on this earth, she seemed to really have a wonderful family and life. She was always saying how blessed she was. I think she cherished every moment and left so many memories that all of us can hold onto now that she’s gone. She will be missed but her memory will live on. 

Stephanie Raby was a genuine good hearted person. She came into my life 5 years ago at Robert Taylor. We were partners as fellow learning strategists and taught me something everyday.  She was always warm, kind, and gave the best advice. She was always there for me and encouraged me daily! I’ll miss her smile, her hugs, and her outlook on life. She will always have a special place in my heart. 

Stephanie and I became fast friends at Ft. Campbell. We attended Jackson Elementary together for 3 years and were neighbors. I can’t tell you how lucky, fortunate and blessed we were to have the Burroughs family as neighbors and if you know them, you know exactly what I mean. Life was never dull in Gandy Court. Though Steph and I had not spent time together since our days at Campbell, I never loved her any less. As you all know, there is no way to describe how amazing she was. She was fearless even then and such an encourager. I have the best memories of her and her family. Her friendship meant the world to me. May God comfort you all and give you peace. 

Stephanie was an angel on earth.  When I started at Robert Taylor, she helped me survive the year and want to return.  She was always there with a smile when needed and a shoulder to cry on.  Stephanie and I became good friends and she would refer to me as her Swiss Army Wife because when she was in need of something, I always seemed to have it. I will miss our summer days at the pool with our watermelon mint vodka drinks and her inviting any new faces to join her at church. I love and miss you! Heaven has received an amazing angel!

I will never forget my senior of highschool when we won this game! It was an epic feeling!! Stephanie was an awesome coach!! She was a mentor of mine and also a wonderful mother, she would bring her kids to practice and we always loved to see them come!! She taught me so many life lessons!! My dad was always so hard on me but she would always give me the praise I so needed!! She will truly be missed, but he sure got a wonderful angel!!! My thoughts and prayers are with her family!!! 

Classic Stephanie.  My oldest joined the military right after his dad retired. I'm not sure why I wasn't tracking this sudden decision but I wasn't. It was probably blind ignorance protecting my heart just a while longer. Wwhatever it was, I'm ashamed to say that I didn't greet this news with the grace I'd always told myself that I would if I ever faced it. I was a mess...a bawling hot mess... all the time... for weeks. Everything made me cry...I wasn't ready to let him go and I doubted my parenting skills, like i had forgotten to teach him everything he needed to know to face the world on his own. After covid had kept him home from college an extra year I just got used to him being around and I was sad to see him go. Instead of making me feel badly for my reaction, Stephanie had a different approach. She messaged me privately all the time. Just little uplifting notes of encouragement or her own personal feelings, worries, and prayer requests. It made me feel human. It made me feel supported and validated and heard. With that simple gesture my attitude began to change. She let me see if through different eyes and I suddenly started to feel the pride return that I had held in my heart for 20+ years as an army wife. This is just a small snippet of one of those very private conversations that I will cherish forever. What an inspiration to the world she was. This week it's definitely a little darker without her presence on earth but I know she's dancing on streets of gold and watching over everyone she loved so fiercely. May we all carry on her legacy of helping, caring, and loving people who need it most. In a twist of fate my oldest son will be home next week..his very first duty station will be serving along side her son Blake. Makes all that crying I did seem really silly.

We all have that one friend that can change the world. Lights up a room. Never met a stranger. 

Friends since high school, Stephanie was the most magical person I’ve ever met, even back then. Everyone that knows her would say the same.  Just read these testimonies and you’ll see why. 
 
Even back then, she never turned down an opportunity to make people laugh or smile. One time, our soccer coaches took us to Italy to play against some lady teams. We were on a bus that was traversing a very narrow road on the side of a mountain. Our bus driver was nervous, we were nervous, and they asked us to sit calmly so he could concentrate. Back in the 80’s, that meant the same tape on replay for the bus ride. It happened to be Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car, and I’m not sure, but if you ask people on that bus, Stephanie and myself (and maybe Hope) were the first people to invent karaoke. We wore that song out and had a great time doing it. Steph sometimes walked with me on my morning paper route (at 4:30am!) just to catch up. When I think about that now, I bet she was offering her protection over me. She was a true loving spirit. 

Although we went our separate ways after high school, we thankfully caught up over Facebook in 2016. Then seeing her in 2020 - 31 years later - was like I had just seen her the week prior! Not a thing had changed, other than her amazing self being magnified. 

We spent a lot of time catching up since then, and through her, I witnessed her love for her family, husband, children, those darling grand babies and life! WOW she loved BIG!  I was so glad to be back in her life. We laughed about jumping from being kids ourselves, to now being grandmas. She came to my wedding, and we last saw each other in October. 

I couldn’t wait to see her again this year, and I’m heartbroken I won’t have that chance, at least not until heaven collects me, too.  

I’ll miss her big heart, her big laugh, and her fantastic friendship. Rest easy, my dear friend. 

Stephanie Raby was an amazing person inside and out. She was always there to help anyone in need. My son would give her a hug anytime that he saw her in the morning at Robert Taylor and it always made her day. She is truly going to be missed. We love you Raby.

So sorry for the loss of Stephanie.  I met her while my husband and I were stationed at Ft Campbell KY  and I worked at the high school . She was just the sweetest young woman .  Now she is in Gods hands and we will continue to pray for her and the entire family ❤️‍🩹

Stephanie and I worked together at Robert Taylor Elementary. Not only did she feel like a mentor, she brought me joy daily. The times I felt like I was failing, she lifted me up. I looked forward to her smile and contagious positivity daily. My daughter adored her as well. She was one of the kindest people I have ever met. Then and now, I aspire to touch the world and spread love as she did. Most importantly, she brought me back to Christ.  I admired her grace and the joy she brought to others. She openly shared her faith and I saw her as a light in the darkness. Today, I owe so much of my testimony to her influence. I love you Raby. You will forever live in my heart. 


Love,
Fellman

From playing soccer on  the fields of Tusculum College together  to the Trevecca University soccer field watching Johnna…every moment was a blessing and cherished forever :) See you at The gates of Heaven 

Stephanie was an amazing person and always there to help.  She is truly going to be missed. 

thank you for being here for all the hard times stephe😘♾❤️love you times a billion

I remember moving to Greeneville, TN and meeting the best neighbor! Stephanie had a way of making everyone she met feel like you had known her your whole life. We lost touch for a while when she moved. Then God took us to a church in Madison, AL. Her mom’s church!!! I was able to reconnect with her when she visited. I am so thankful for the times we shared. Thanks be to God for the precious gift of Stephanie.  

We met at Ft Lewis. Stephanie was one of our "Angels", our Lady Nightstalkers. Steph had a personality of sunlight and joy that drew everyone to her. 
When our daughter decided to go to school out west, Steph volunteered to be her "local mom", asked often if our girl needed anything, and even offered to shelter her during the Covid lockdown, if needed. 
Stephanie loved and gave without reservation,  and with her whole heart; always. Steph's love and pride of her family shone through her entire being. 
 We are better for having known her, and called her our friend. 

No matter where the miles took us or the years between visits, Stephanie was a dear friend of more than 30 years.  I cherish that she was one of my bridesmaids.  It’s hard to think of a more devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, friend and dog-mom than Steph.  She was truly love & light.  I will miss you, beloved friend.  Until we meet again…

You made our first Vegas visit unforgettable!

Stephanie and I met our freshman year of college when we lived on the same floor and played soccer together.  Our sophomore year, we were roommates in an off-campus apartment together before she transferred to Tusculum.  Our time together at the University of Tennessee was precious!  

OBITUARY

Stephanie Rhea Raby

April 4, 1973 – February 10, 2022

Palm Boulder Highway Mortuary & Cemetery

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