Onetta Radey Obituary (1948

Onetta was born Feb. 28th, 1948, in West Hamlin, West Virgina. She enjoyed the outdoors and fishing in the creeks. She was proud of her hillbilly roots where people worked hard, and family was important. Her family moved in her early years and settled in Oceanside, CA where she attended high school. Onetta worked in hospitality and retail and was extremely social and became a listening post for many friends and neighbors. She was known by the nickname “Nita”, but most people referred to her as Mom. Over the years, she fostered many children and opened her home to countless others. Her kitchen was always open, and she could provide a meal in minutes. Onetta was known for her ability to accept others no matter their circumstances and made people feel like they were part of her family. Her favorite saying was to “treat people the way that you would want to be treated”. Onetta enjoyed painting, gardening, dancing, travelling and was an avid animal lover. She was known as the turtle lady in the local elementary school and enjoyed the excitement of sharing her joy of nature. She wanted so badly to stay here in this life to continue her role as nana and caretaker to her family, but in the early morning hours of Feb. 25th surrounded by loved ones, her face finally and beautifully eased, even glowed with the loveliest peace. Onetta was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Radey, her parents, Bobby and Betty Kimball and siblings Bill Kimball and Linda Cabral. She is survived by many; brother Mike Kimball and wife Olga and sister Donna Fiaccato, Aunt Loretta Heide and husband Harold; daughters Barbara Solaita-Tuua and husband Fitu, Michelle Chavis and husband Jody, Dee Carr and husband T.C and sons Steven Hart and Chuck Radey. She is also survived by grandchildren; Andrew and Sarena Chavis, Tara Tuua, Fitu Tuua II, Darren Kitchen, Larissa Niu, Kianna Niu, Miranda Mitchell, Taylor Chavis, Cameron Chavis and wife Kiara, Emily Hart, Joseph Hart; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. A private service will be held in Las Vegas with an interment planned later in Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, CA.