Raven Raye Zumwalt

Raven Raye Zumwalt, 18, left her Earthly home to be with the Lord on January 4, 2022.

Raven was always smiling from day one. She had a gray stuffed cat named “Gray Meow Meow.” She took him everywhere and couldn’t sleep without him. He’s lost most of his hair now and looks pretty rough, but she loved her kitty hard- she loved everyone hard. She spent her early years in Alaska- playing outside, going fishing, and exploring. 

Raven was in the Girl Scouts for several years. She was the top cookie seller her first year. We signed up for extra tables and booths and she sold her little heart out. She was so outgoing, she didn’t have any trouble talking to people, even at that early age. 

Raven’s favorite things to do were singing, drawing, and reading. She was constantly listening to music and singing along. We loved singing in the car together and just belting out songs. She was a music lover from an early age. She also loved drawing. She filled dozens of journals and sketchbooks with her drawings. She would criticize her drawings, but then go back to her earlier work and see how much she had improved. She was always so happy to see her progress. Raven was also an avid reader. She would devour entire novels in just a few days. Raven loved losing herself inside the world of her book. She had a creative mind and was also in the process of writing a story of her own.

Raven loved the Japanese culture. She had a dream to go to Japan one day. She loved reading Japanese anime, too. Her favorite manga and show was “Fruits Basket.” Raven loved the outdoors. She was outside almost every minute she could be. One of her favorite pastimes was taking long walks. She would walk and walk, singing her heart out as she went. Raven would go for walks, rain or shine. 

Raven’s favorite animal was the lynx. She thought they were beautiful. She loved their ears and short tails. She loved seeing them at the zoo but she always wished she could see one in the wild.  She once told her family that her spirit animal was the sloth. Raven had a beautiful laugh and loved to laugh. She had a laugh that would just make you smile and try to make her laugh more. Sometimes she would laugh so hard she would give herself the hiccups. Raven was an adventurous eater. She would try almost anything once. Her favorite food was sushi. Her favorite color was orange. Her favorite character was Stitch from Lilo and Stitch. 

Raven enjoyed going to museums with her family, walking on the beach, searching for seashells, and just experiencing new things. When Raven was asked about a career she would like to pursue, she wanted to be a therapist. She wanted to be able to help people. She was very generous, especially with her friends. If she had something, she wanted to be able to share it with you. She loved to talk to anyone and it came with such ease.  She made friends with people of all ages and ability. Anyone who came to know Raven will never forget her. 

The last few years of Raven’s life was a rough journey. She struggled with depression and a mental health diagnosis. There were ups and downs, but when there were ups, they were great. When Raven left this world, she was feeling unaccomplished. The family wants Raven and everyone else to know that her life absolutely had meaning and purpose.  She had taught her family many lessons, and in doing so, has made them better in their own way. While she didn’t get the time to experience many things, her time here on Earth wasn’t in vain. Although Raven’s wings were ready, her loved ones hearts were not.

Raven is survived her parents, Bernice and Jeffery Daniels and Steven and Monique Zumwalt as well as her siblings, Zakkary Zumwalt, Emmalyn and Jolene Daniels, Dahlia, Lola and Steven Zumwalt. Jr. and Aaron and Katlynn Daniels.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 17, 2022 at 1:00 PM at the Thomas L. Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Flemington.

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