Miriam Day Raney

MIRIAM DAY RANEY, of Little Rock, Ark. died May 27th, 2015 at the age of 92. She was born Sept. 30, 1922 in Hemingway, S.C. to Iola Lewis Edwards and Dr. Lewis Griffith Day. Mrs. Raney received her bachelor's degree from Woman's College of the University of North Carolina (now UNC) at Greensboro in 1943, majoring in singing with a minor in music education. She attended the Institute of Musical Art at Julliard in 1942-1943, New York City, N.Y. While at Julliard she honed her classically trained lyric soprano voice. Living & working in New York, Miriam sang on many nationally broadcast radio programs. She was in the chorus of the New York City Opera, the chorus & understudy to the lead in Rogers & Hammerstein's original Broadway production of "Oklahoma!", and Michael Todd's production of "Up in Central Park". She married Robert William Raney in Spruce Pine, N.C. in March 1946, after his return from serving in Bavaria during WWII and they settled in his hometown of Little Rock, Ark. After raising her family, Miriam returned to school and received her bachelor of Arts degree in Music History and Literature at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Mrs. Raney was a member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church where she served as secretary of the Senior Adult Council. She was a member-at-large of the American Association of University Women, a member of the AR Alliance for Historic Preservation, and the Pulaski County Historical Society. She is survived by three children, son Robert W. Raney Jr. (Pam), daughters Kevin Paige Raney and Megan Raney of Little Rock, Ark.; two grandsons, Robert W. Raney III (Michelle) of Houston, Texas, and Patrick Day Raney of Denver, Colo.; great granddaughter Katherine Mei Raney of Houston, Texas. She is predeceased by her brother Harold Vann Day of Spruce Pine, N.C. and her daughter Miriam "Mimi" Raney of Santa Fe, N.M. Special thanks & appreciation to Ms. Tina Smith & Ms. Edna Bennett for all their nurturing care over the last 4 years and to Paula Keith of Arkansas Hospice who cared for Mom as her health declined. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held 10 a.m. Monday, June 1st, 2015 at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, with reception immediately following. Interment will be at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church columbarium. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to: The Humane Society of Pulaski County, 14600 Colonel Glenn Rd., Little Rock, Ark. 72210; or PHUMC, 4823 Woodlawn Dr., Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.